MAPUSA
All new hotels and commercial establishments coming up in Calangute may have to harness solar energy as the local panchayat has in principle agreed to make it mandatory for owners to generate minimum 20 percent of its power needs through solar.
Calangute panchayat will also write to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department to introduce a condition on installation of solar panels while issuing construction licence.
Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said the panchayat is receptive to the idea to find alternative ways to generate electricity and was planning to introduce a condition in the construction licence insisting on installation of solar panels.
“While issuing a construction licence we will introduce a clause insisting that all new hotels and commercial constructions with more than 25 rooms will have to install solar panels so as to generate minimum 20 percent of its power needs through solar,” Sequeira said.
Calangute has been experiencing acute power problems with the coastal village witnessing persistent power cuts and load shedding particularly during the peak tourism season.
The sarpanch agreed to introduce the plan to harness solar energy after a villager Benedict Lobo put up a proposal before the gram sabha to implement a solar power scheme in Calangute. The villager said the burgeoning tourism industry in the coastal belt had significantly heightened the demand for electricity thereby straining the already limited resources and it would get worse in future.
“I suggest that all hotels and commercial establishments with more than 25 rooms be mandated to adopt a green approach by installing solar power panels so as to generate a minimum 20 percent of its power needs inhouse. This would not only substantially lessen the burden on the existing power supply but also promote sustainable practices within our community,” Lobo said.
He further said that using solar energy will reduce the dependence on conventional power sources and contribute to a cleaner environment.
“This move would position Calangute as a forward-thinking, eco-conscious tourist destination, further enhancing our appeal to visitors,” the concerned villager said.
