State aims to generate 3K Mw solar power in 5 yrs

In a bid to tap solar energy for power generation, the Gujarat government is aiming at 3,000 Mw capacity of solar power generation in next five years.

Talking about the state government's focus on solar energy at a seminar on 'Moving Towards Green Energy Economy', DJ Pandian, principal secretary, Energy and Petrochemical Department, Government of Gujarat said, "We have set up a target of 1,000 Mw established solar power generation capacity by the end of 2012 and 3,000 Mw in next five years."

According to Pandian, numerous applications for solar power generation are pending with the government. "To tap solar energy for power generation is high on the agenda of the Gujarat Government. Applications seeking establishment of 5,000 solar generation capacity are pending with the government. We hope to take a final call on all of these applications by the end of current month," he added.

Meanwhile, highlighting the rising significance of renewable energy in the power business, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has stated that the green energy's contribution to the industry has increase from 10 per cent in financial year 1999-2000 to 70 per cent in fiscal 2009-2010. "Contribution of renewable energy to the power business has increased substantially in terms of project numbers and also in dollar terms, reaching 70 per cent in FY10 from merely 10 per cent in FY 2000," said Anita George, director, infrastructure, IFC during a panel discussion ' Financing Options for Green Energy' at a seminar on 'Moving Towards Green Energy Economy' organized by Department of Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat.

The seminar was organised by Department of Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat in association with Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and Gujarat State Council of FICCI.

According to George, green energy can help in minimizing the green house gas emissions and maximizing long-term development impact, apart from bringing in energy efficiency by reducing the transmission and distribution loss to certain extent.