J'khand to produce 1,200 MW solar energy by 2017

Jharkhand is all set to produce 1,200 MW renewable energy by the end of 2017 and the process in this regard has already started.
The process of inviting developers through competitive bidding was complete and a capacity of total 1,200 MW solar energy power plants would be set up at 45 sites across the state, said D K Tewatia, Director of Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA).
Tewatia, who was here to take part in a day-long 'Green Conclave-2016, Think Green: Invest in Future', organised by CII, Jharkhand chapter, said land acquisition remained a major problem in the state and solar energy plants of one MW to 50 MW capacity would be established at 45 sites across the state.

Plants of over 100 MW to 500 MW was not possible due to non-availability of land, he said adding, the small capacity plants would be set up on available private land and the proposed plants would be commissioned between June and December, 2017.
"The government has proposed to set up small solar power plant on 93 government buildings including hospitals," he said.
"The government is in the process of preparing Net Metering Regulation to implement the solar energy scheme and expected to be ready in the next two to three months time," Tewatia said.
Asked about the possible investment for establishing the proposed 1,200 MW solar power plants, he said Rs 6.5 crore investment was needed to set up one MW of solar power plant.

JREDA would electrify 409 villages in the current year in the state through solar energy, he said adding, the state has prepared 14 detail project reports (DPR) to implement 126 MW small hydel power plants at 14 locations, mostly at places having natural or seasonal waterfalls.