Govt plans to develop 60 solar cities: Minister

The government today said that it was planning to develop 'Solar Cities' to reduce around 10 per cent usage of conventional energy sources through renewable energy installations and energy efficiency.

"The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on 'Development of solar cities' aimed at reducing minimum of 10 per cent of the projected demand of conventional energy of the city through energy efficiency measures and renewable energy installations," New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.     

During the 11th Plan period, a total of 60 cities are proposed to be developed as 'Solar Cities', including two model cities.     

Abdullah said the Centre was providing financial support up to Rs 50 lakh for each solar city to the respective state governments for preparation of a master plan, awareness generation and capacity building activities.     

He added that his ministry has been implementing an interest subsidy scheme for many years to provide soft loans to users of solar water heaters through banks and other financial institutions.