PANAJI
Barren farmlands could soon be put into productive use of a different kind, by turning them into sites to generate solar energy for the State.
The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is geared up to implement a central government scheme to motivate farmers to use barren farming land to generate solar energy and to supply it to the State.
The GEDA has invited an Expression of Interest from agencies or contractors to be in the empanelled list to install the facility to produce solar energy.
The central government's scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha (PM-KUSUM) for farmers gives assistance for minimum 500KW and maximum 2MW capacity grid connected ground mounted solar PV power plants on barren/uncultivable land.
According to the scheme, the barren land should be located within a 10 km radius of 33KV/11KV network of Department of Electricity (EDG) to facilitate the solar power.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued already guidelines to set up such decentralised plants under the scheme.
Individual farmers or a group of farmers can install this facility on their land.
There is also a provision in the scheme for farmers to lease out their land to generate power for a fixed amount per year.
Under the scheme, there is a condition that farmers should have a minimum of 2 acres for 500 kW (1 unit) and 4 Acres for 1MW (2units) in the periphery of 10 km of the electricity network.
