Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the State was all set for major revolution in renewable energy sector with path breaking initiatives in the form of large scale investment in solar power projects, unique net metering policy and farm level solar power projects thereby ensuring the wider participation of investors, common people and farmers.Mr. Badal accompanied by Punjab Revenue, New & Renewable Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today reached here at Peda office at the installation ceremonies of Mr. Upkar Singh Sandhu as Chairman Punjab Energy Development Agency and Mr. Jagtar Singh Rajeana and Mr. Kulwant Singh Bath as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Punjab Genco Limited. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal appreciated the efforts of Mr. Majithia and his team for outstanding achievements on Renewable energy front as in February 2012, the state had installed capacity of just 9 MW which has reached now 225 MW with an investment of Rs. 1500 crore.
He said that he was informed that 24 new Projects of 229 MW Capacity plus 65 MW rooftop projects with an investment of Rs. 2100 crore were all set to be started soon. Underlining the need for promotion of clean energy in a big way, Mr. Badal said that the time has come to harness the big potential available in solar energy and bio-mass energy and it could be possible only through wider participation of various sections of the society.Speaking on the occasion Mr. Majithia briefly outlined the achievements as well as new initiatives being taken in renewable energy sector. He said that the recently launched net metering policy has got tremendous response as tenders to the tune of 65 MW have been successfully floated and number of NRIs and other landowners were evincing keen interest for ‘Farmers Solar Power Generation Scheme’ under which 500 MW was being targeted. He said that the state has already notified Net Metering policy with a view to take the concept of clean and green living to every house and the target was to install 200 MW in next 3 years. 1100 applications have already been received in 3 months.
He further said that India’s largest rooftop plant of 7.50 MW has been set up at Beas, Amritsar in 2014 and it was being expanded to 31.5 MW which will make it the World’s largest rooftop PV plant. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Jathedar Tota Singh and Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike , both Cabinet Ministers , Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha and Mr. Harmit Singh Sandhu, all CPS, Mr. Vir Singh Lopoke, Chairman, District Planning Committee, Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President, DSGMC, Mr. Manjinder Singh Sirsa, General Secretary, DSGMC, Mr. Amarjit Singh Chawla and Mr. Rajinder Singh Mehta, both members SGPC, Dr Amarpal Singh, CEO, PEDA, Mr. Balore Singh, Director, PEDA.