Solar power to villages

Karnataka government plans to launch a solar technology programme in 3,900 villages in 39 most backward blocks to cater to the energy needs of 50 lakh people. State-owned Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd has invited bids from solar technology providers to design, finance, and maintain solar/hybrid power plants and collect user fee to provide solar energy on a sustainable basis for the requirement of village clusters.

These plants make power available at a charging station, enabling residents to charge their electrical appliances.

Solar power is to be provided for street-lights, household consumption, entertainment/educational purposes, water-lifting for irrigation, drinking water supply, purification/desalination plants, deflourination, milk pasteurisation and local cottage industrial applications.

Solar power would be metered and made available at a fee determined in advance.

“Most of the targeted villages either have no electric supply or get poor voltage at present,” KREDL, MD H G Shivanandamurthy told PTI.

“We will play the role of facilitator in the project. Our interest is to see that the people get power at the lowest cost,” he added.