By 2019, Delhi discoms to buy 1,000 MW of solar power, says Jain

NEW DELHI : Delhi’s distribution companies will soon procure at least 1,000 MW of solar power as part of its efforts in promoting green energy, announced Satyendar Jain on Friday.

Delhi’s power minister said that private discoms could begin procurement of solar power by 2019. “Discussions with the three discoms were on for nearly six months and they have agreed in-principle,” he said.

During summers, discoms usually make arrangements of power to the tune of 7,000 MW, almost all of which are procured from the polluting coal-fired powered plants. The average power demand during summer is around 4,600 MW.

Central government’s agency, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Limited, will be the nodal agency for undertaking tendering process for the project.

The power minister said they expect the cost of solar power to be below ₹3 per unit.

“Our expectation is that the cost will be below ₹3 per unit. The average cost of purchase of electricity from other sources in Delhi is at about ₹5.50 per unit,” Jain said.

The AAP government is also planning to provide subsidy to farmers for purchasing solar pumps for irrigation purposes. Besides, Jain added that power discoms — BYPL, BRPL and Tata Power DDL— will introduce prepaid electricity meters for tenants within next three months.

“Shops and cottage enterprises in residential areas using up to 5 KW connections will be treated under ‘domestic category’, bringing down power bills of poor people involved in livelihood activities. This decision will be implemented soon to benefit around 5 lakh people in residential areas,” he said.

The relief to small traders and manufacturers in residential areas was announced by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in its tariff schedule for 2017-18 in September.