the goan I network
PANAJI
Under the new solar policy which came into effect earlier this year, 206 applications have been received by the electricity department for solar projects in the state.
The information of all the constituency-wise applications was tabled by Nilesh Cabral, Minister for non-conventional energy sources on Thursday, to a question asked by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik.
Most of solar projects however, have not yet been completed. The reply shows that applications have come from private individuals for as little as 2 kilo watts (kW), right up to doctors clinics, hospitals, educational institutions and industries for projects up to 1,500 kW for IFB industries limited in the Verna Industrial Estate.
The capital city of Panaji saw the maximum number of applications received at 20. Only one however is complete. This is the archdiocese of Goa and Daman 7 kWs. An engineer opposite Geeta Bakery has given an application for a 1,000 kW project.
17 applications were received from neighbouring Taleigao, all in the range of 2 to 30 kW, but only three have so far been completed.
Of the five applications received from St Cruz, the largest one (50kW), is from the Aldeia de Goa complex, but none of these have been completed.
Blue Ocean Beverages Pvt Ltd in the Margao Industrial Estate has applied for a 70.4 kW project, one of eight applications received from the Navelim constituency. None have been completed here either.
Five applications came from Marcaim, the biggest request coming from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Farmagudi. Although this one is yet to be complete, a 15.6 kW project of the Society for Youth Development has been completed.
Some areas like Mormugao, Sanguem, Dhargal, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Benaulim, Cuncolim, Poinguinim and Velim saw a negligible number of applications, mostly for private residences.
Even though Shiroda received just four applications, they are all for big projects, with the RIT engineering college project set to be a 40 kW project.
Other notable projects set to come up are the 196 kW project at the CG Power and Industrial Solutions at the Kundaim Industrial Estate, a 1,000 kW projects in Vasco i.e. of M/S Garrison Engineering, the 117 kW Goa Shipyard Ltd project, the ONGC Betul project set to be at 250 kW, and a 97.5 kW project set to power the SBI Margao branch. The 100 kW solar energy project at the Colvale Jail in Thivim is already running.
