Goa CM Seeks 100% Solar Powered Electrification in Rural Households

At the inauguration of a solar-based electrification program for remote rural households in Goa, the chief minister (CM) of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant said, “On Goa Statehood Day, it is a proud moment for us to announce that we will achieve 100 percent electrification for all homes in Goa, and that too with clean energy. We have made policy decisions for Goa to transition to a green state in a fast and concerted way. I congratulate GEDA and CESL for their good work.” Goa, lying on the konkan coast, depends a lot on tourism revenues, and its beaches and forests are a critical part of its attractions. That hasn;t stopped the state from pushing to develop iron-ore and coal mining, till the courts and green bodies put a stop to that.

On May 30, the Goa Statehood Day, the solar PV-based home lighting program for households was virtually inaugurated by Mr Sawant, only two days after the agreement was signed between Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA). The Member-Secretary of GEDA, Sanjeev Joglekar said, “We signed the Agreement very recently and we are very happy that CESL has begun work immediately. The solar lighting program will contribute to India’s climate action and in achieving the country’s Renewable Energy targets.”

This project will bring electricity, through renewable energy to areas in Goa where grid connectivity is not feasible i.e. remote villages. The Secretary of Power for Goa, Mr. Kunal added, “The solar lighting program will improve the economy of rural households, and will contribute to inclusive local growth. Goa’s villages will benefit from solar lighting, cheaper electricity and it will steer the rural development and growth of Goa. In the coming days, it will also increase off-grid solar electricity demand in rural areas, which will, in turn, improve the services.”

This is the first off-grid electricity engagement of CESL that will install and maintain solar PV systems for five years under the Remote Village Electrification (RVE) program of the Government of Goa. CESL will undertake the project across villages and hamlets of Goa in coordination with Gram panchayats. Sharing her views on the program, Ms. Mahua Acharya, CEO & MD, CESL, said, “We are so proud to begin this project on Goa Statehood Day. Everyone we have been working with within the Government of Goa has shown us nothing but leadership and drive, and I commend the Government for assuming a ‘whatever it takes attitude to achieve 100% electrification. Access to energy is a basic need across all sections of development and we are happy to be making this happen.”

Along with several development projects under GEDA, CM also inaugurated the Solar Rooftop Power Plant at Government College of Commerce and Economics, Borda, Margao, Goa.