MC holds negotiations with firm to install solar power plants in city
BATHINDA: The Municipal Corporation is carrying out negotiations with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to install solar power plants at its building and other important installations in the city.
The Municipal Corporation is carrying out negotiations with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to install solar power plants at its building and other important installations in the city.
PEDA had demanded Rs50 lakh as implementation charges and an advance payment of around Rs10 crore for the project from the civic body. Unhappy with the demand, the MC has asked it to drop the charges as the firm is the promoters of solar power. The MC also objected to the advance payment.
Sandeep Gupta, superintending engineer, MC, said, “We are working on the solar plant project as PEDA officials have demanded a price of Rs43,500 per kW. Apart from this, they have also demanded Rs50 lakh as installation charges and advance payment of the entire project. But, we have objected to both these demands. Now, we are waiting for their reply.”
“We can’t give the advance payment of around Rs10 crore. If the project takes 10 months or a year, it will cost us a huge interest on the advance payment. So, we can make part payments as the project goes on,” he added.
The MC has planned to install solar plants to save its annual electricity bill for Rs18 crore.
Under the project, the civic body will cover its office, sewerage treatment plants and 25,000 street light points. With this, it will save electricity bill for around Rs1 crore per month.
Discussions are on to install a four mW solar plant on the terrace of the MC office and its various vacant sites in the city. The MC is also considering a loan for the project.
Earlier, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal had also held a meeting with MC officials. During the meeting, it was decided to install a solar plant at the earliest as it will economically benefit the civic body.
Besides, the MC is also preparing a project model for installing solar panels of 1 kW in each household in Chandsar Basti, which will be provided at subsidised rates.
If the project gets the approval of the Finance Minister, the work on it will start soon and if it gets a good response in Chandsar Basti, it will be expanded to other parts of the city as well.
Under the project, a solar power panel of 1 kW will be installed at a cost of Rs42,000 at subsidised prices. First, the government will bear the cost of the project and it will take back the money from residents in easy instalments.
Source: The Tribune