Diu Becomes India’s 1st Smart City to Run on 100% Renewable Energy during Daytime

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs said in a statement that until last year, Diu had been importing 73 percent of its power from Gujarat state.

Diu Smart City has become the country’s first city to run completely on renewable energy during daytime setting a new benchmark for other cities to become clean and green.

The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs said in a statement that until last year, Diu had been importing 73 percent of its power from Gujarat state.

Now, the city has adopted a two-pronged approach whereby a 9 MW solar park spread over 50 hectares rocky barren land has been developed besides installing solar panels on the roof tops on 79 government buildings thereby generating 1.3 MW annually, it added.

Moreover, in order to further enhance its solar capacity, the city offers its residents a subsidy of Rs 10,000-50,000 for installing 1-5KW roof top solar panels, the Ministry said.

Besides, Diu is saving about 13,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Also, on the back of low-cost solar energy, power tariffs have been cut in residential category by 10 percent last year and 15 percent this year.

On other smart cities, it said that, to improve traffic management in Bengaluru Smart City, a prototype of an intelligent traffic management solution is currently being tested in collaboration with the Electronics City Township Authority (ELCITA).

Also, in order to revitalise urban public spaces and socially activating the area besides generating economic activity, Jaipur Smart City Ltd (JSCL) has planned to develop night bazaar at Chaura Rasta, in the heart of Pink city.

The JSCL would register up to 700 vendors who will be allowed to set up stalls, including eateries, between 9pm and 1am. The project will provide entertainment, culture and shopping to citizens after office hours.