Delhi to buy 1,000 MW clean energy, says minister

In a major step towards implementing the Aam Aadmi Party government’s solar policy, the power distribution companies will be able to purchase 1,000 MW of clean electricity by the year 2019.

Power minister Satyendra Jain on Friday said that the government will get more clean energy, if required, to keep air pollution in check.

“Discussions with the three discoms were on for six months and they have agreed and an inprinciple agreement has been reached. Around 1,000 MW clean energy will be purchased for Delhi,” he said.

The government had in June last approved the Delhi Solar Energy Policy aimed at generating 1,000 MW solar power by 2020.

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

Mr Jain said it was expected that the clean electricity cost will be below `3 per unit. “Our expectation is that the cost will be below `3 per unit. The average cost of purchase of electricity in Delhi is at present `5.50 per unit,” he said.

The government is planning to provide subsidy to farmers for purchasing solar pumps for irrigation purposes. Shops and cottage enterprises in residential areas using up to 5 KW will be treated under ‘domestic category’, bringing down power bills of the poor.