MAPUSA
The ambitious plan by the State government to equip all government buildings in Panaji with solar power by 2024 has encountered significant delays, falling short of the goals set by Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar.
This initiative, which was heralded as a major step towards making Panaji a solar city, has yet to see tangible progress on the ground.
Last year, Dhavalikar announced in the Goa Legislative Assembly that the Ministry of Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), aimed to transform Panaji by installing solar rooftops on all government buildings.
The project was slated for completion by March 2024, with an open tendering process to be initiated in the 2023 financial year.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco had actively sought details on this plan, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the State’s strategy to achieve 100% renewable energy usage with Union government assistance. Despite these inquiries and the apparent progress on paper, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
Sources within GEDA have confirmed that the initial steps for solarizing government buildings were indeed taken, including the issuance of tenders.
A senior official disclosed that the bidding process was completed and evaluations were ongoing.
However, no actual work has commenced to install solar equipment on public buildings in Panaji.
The delay casts a shadow on the State’s broader renewable energy goals.
Dhavalikar had set a target of sourcing 150 MW of power through solar energy by 2030, with an intermediate goal of generating at least 80 MW from renewable sources.
Achieving these targets, according to Dhavalikar, requires public participation in adopting rooftop solar projects.
Despite the setbacks, the State government remains committed to its renewable energy objectives.
The delay in Panaji’s solar project highlights the challenges of transitioning to sustainable energy, underscoring the need for effective project management and community engagement.
As Panaji awaits the promised solar transformation, stakeholders hope for expedited action to ensure that the city and the State move closer to their renewable energy aspirations.
