Delhi Budget: Govt proposes to reduce reliance on fossil fuel based power generation

In its Budget for 2018-19, the Delhi government has proposed to encourage renewable energy initiatives to reduce fossil fuel-based power generation.

A host of renewable energy initiatives have been lined up for the power department in 2018-19 that will reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation in Delhi, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said today presenting the Budget in Delhi Assembly.

The budgetary allocation for the energy sector Rs 2,190 crore in 2018-19, is four per cent of the total budget expenditure of Rs 53,000 crore.

The total capacity of renewable energy in Delhi until February 2018 was 133.13 MW, which included 81.13 MW of solar power and 52 MW of electricity generated from waste-to-energy plants.

In addition 74 MW of solar power is under progress, he said.

"All these initiatives will make a long-term impact on reduction of carbon emissions and air pollutants," Sisodia asserted.

The government has already committed to purchase 1,000MW of green power, solar and wind, in the coming year.

The government will bring out a Group Net Metering policy to enable utilisation of huge solar potentials by roping in state-run schools, markets and other buildings of government, he said.

The government will pilot a scheme named agriculture-cum-solar farm scheme to incentivise installation of solar panels on raised structures without affecting farming activities, he said in his speech.

In the coming year, a Building Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP) will be implemented for power consumption audit of government offices and buildings, starting with those under the power department, he announced.

The government will also enforce the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) next year, which will be applicable for all new commercial buildings having connected load of 100 KW or a plot area of 500 square meters.