West Bengal demands for relaxation to access clean energy fund for small solar power projects

“The Centre is asking us to set up large solar parks in the state, but for that we need large tracts of land which is hard to get. So, we are asking it to consider funding small solar projects”

The Centre is yet to respond to West Bengal’s demand for relaxation to access clean energy fund for small solar power projects in the state.

“The Centre is asking us to set up large solar parks in the state, but for that we need large tracts of land which is hard to get. So, we are asking it to consider funding small solar projects,” state Power Minister Shobhandeb Chattopadhayay said at CII organised ‘Energy Conclave’.

“But, we are still to hear from the Centre,” he said.

He said for each megawatt of solar project four acres is required. The state faced resistance while getting land for even sub-stations and the Trinamool Congress government had repeatedly said that it would not take land forcibly for any projects.

West Bengal power department, he said, is planning to set up a solar park to support a second pump storage power plant in the state and is seeking grant under the clean energy fund of the Centre.

Chattopadhayay emphasied on the need of technology and modernisation to reduce transmission and distribution losses.

The state government, he said, focusses on cheap and sustainable power to all and provides subsidies of Rs 800 crore per annum.

Source: PTI