The hike in power tariffs by 3.5 per cent has come in for sharp criticism, with the Opposition parties demanding immediate roll-back of the revised tariffs. It is learnt that the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved an average tariff hike of 3.5 per cent to further reduce the reliance of the Electricity Department on budgetary support from the government. The electricity department is reportedly yet to recover a huge amount from industrial and government consumers. Be that as it may, because of the shortfall in electricity and hesitancy by people to use solar plants, Goa is considered by experts to be in an ideal position to harness wind energy. Considering Goa's 105 km long coastline there are several suitable sites for wind turbine farms. Goa now has North Goa MP Shripad Naik as Minister of State in the Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy. Goa should explore the feasibility of wind farms, both onshore and offshore while hybrid solar-wind farms could be encouraged. These measures to utilize renewable and sustainable energies could help further Goa’s vision of having green tourism and minimize its reliance on other states for power.
