Rajasthan Working on a new Renewable Energy Policy: Energy Minister

Energy Minister BD Kalla has said that the Rajasthan government is working to bring a new renewable energy policy for the state.

State Energy Minister B D Kalla while speaking at a seminar on ‘exploring renewable energy potential in the state of Rajasthan‘ on the 75th birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, has said that the Rajasthan government would bring a new renewable energy policy in the state.

He asked the department officials to conduct more research in the domain. And also called upon the industrialists to invest in generating renewable energy. 

“The government is bringing a new policy to harness solar, wind and biomass energy to make Rajasthan a leading state in the renewable energy sector,” Kalla said. He said it was Rajiv Gandhi’s vision to protect the environment and generate electricity through renewable energy sources. 

The minister said the government was working towards the development of pollution-free industries and producing green energy. 

“Currently the state’s renewable energy production capacity is 1,600 MW and around 3,300 tonnes of coal is required for generating 1 MW electricity through traditional sources, but now due to renewable energy production, the state is saving 5 lakh tonne coal every year,” Kalla said. 

State Forest and Environment Minister Sukhram Vishnoi, also present at the seminar, said production of solar and wind energy is favourable to the environment, while traditional power generation damages it. 

More recently, state Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had also said that his government will bring in a policy to make the state a hub of solar energy. He had said that efforts are being made to generate 10,000 megawatts of additional power in the state in the next five years. Presently, Rajasthan is on the third position in the field of solar power and efforts are on to bring it to number one, Gehlot said.

The chief minister said a 1,000 MW solar park is being developed in Nokh, Jaisalmer, by the Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Limited. About Rs 3,450 will be invested in it, he added.