Punjab Govt Grants Rs 60 Crore To Power Piped Water With Solar

The Punjab government has approved the spending of Rs 60.50 crore to develop solar energy systems for rural piped water delivery schemes in the state, reducing annual electricity costs by Rs 8–9 crore. With a total installed capacity of 8.698 MW, solar energy plants based on net metering would be erected at 970 rural water delivery systems, serving 1,508 villages. Minister of Water Supply and Sanitation Bram Shanker Jimpa stated, “The administration is aiming to put basic amenities at the doorsteps of the populace. The goal of this initiative is to lessen the burden of power fees to ensure the financial viability of water supply schemes and the effective operation and management of rural water supply schemes by gram panchayat water supply committees. Additionally, this will enhance the use of clean energy and contribute to environmental sustainability.”

Punjab has one of the higher power procurement costs in the country, thanks to its distance from pithead coal, besides a power subsidy policy that has worked ineffectively, yet remains politically too risky to fix. Finding ways to reduce the power subsidy burden with cheaper renewable energy generated within the state makes great sense, accordingly.

Earlier, the Punjab administration decided to put in place 300 MW worth of photovoltaic (PV) solar power installations. According to an official statement outlining the decision made at a high-level conference held recently, these projects comprise 100 MW floating solar PV power projects on reservoirs and lakes and 200 MW canal-top solar PV power projects.

Additionally, One lakh electric agricultural tubewells, currently in use by the state, are powered by solar energy by the Punjab government. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had received a request to solarize 1 lakh grid-connected electric tubewells, and the Union Government had approved it while also setting a target of 1 lakh pumps for the state.