EESL, Goa Renewable Energy Dept. Sign MOU For Green Convergence

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power and Department of New & Renewable Energy (DNRE), Goa, have signed a memorandum of understanding today (November 17) to discuss rolling out of India’s first Convergence Project in the State.

The MoU was signed in the presence of R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister, Goa, Sanjiv Nandan Sahai , Secretary, Ministry of Power and other senior officers of the ministry.

Under the MoU, EESL and DNRE will carry-out the feasibility studies and subsequent implementation of decentralized solar energy projects. EESL shall implement the solar energy projects, establishment of 100 MW of decentralized ground mounted Solar Power projects on government lands to be used for agricultural pumping, replace approximately 6,300 agricultural pumps with BEE star rated energy efficient pumps and distribute approximately 16 Lakh LED bulbs for rural domestic households.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh, said that the MOU signed between EESL and Government of Goa today in some sense marks beginning of fresh green revolution. “When we started the PM- KUSUM, this is what was in our mind to restart fresh green revolution in agriculture sector. He said, “This model is expected to be adopted by other states as this will reduces losses in terms of expenditure on water for farm sector runs into tens of thousands crore rupees in several States. That preempts state spending on health, education, and other important sectors.” He also said he has asked the MNRE to look out for incentivising saving on energy and ground water by farmers. He hoped for a faster roll out of this model , especially under PM-KUSUM by other states.

Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister, Goa, said “Goa is the first state to adopt Convergence. The project will accrue savings of INR 2,574 crores to the State over the period of 25 years, while improving the health of DISCOMs and providing cleaner power. This project will provide clean day time electricity to farmers as well as energy efficient pump sets which would reduce the power consumption as well as T&D losses associated with transmitting power to agriculture and rural feeder networks.”

The projects will accelerate the usage of renewable energy sources, especially for agricultural and rural power consumption in the State. The projects will also contribute in reduction of peak energy demand through deployment of energy efficient pumping and lighting thus contributing to overall sustainability. In Goa, with the objective of providing clean power at affordable rates, EESL will install solar projects in a first of its kind large scale programme where vacant/unused land provided by the Gram Panchayats/electricity board will be utilized. The solar power plant will be installed near the substation, with capacities ranging from 500KW to 2 MW, depending on the size of the land, this will enable DISCOMs to supply power during the day time and reduce transmission losses.