The state govt's ambitious plans for renewable energy to meet Goa's present and future power requirements and generate around 15,000 jobs for Goans, is a welcome step. We have had several such job projections and assurances in the past, such as for the new Mopa airport, mining restart, and other upcoming industrial projects, which have never seen the light of day. Goa as a result still continues to be a State with the highest percentage of unemployment in the country, with lakhs of unemployed youth. Secondly, waiting till 2030 and 2050 for full realisation of the project, appears to be a little too far-fetched and unconvincing. Goa being a power-starved state, renewable green energy like solar power should have been promoted on a large scale long back to meet the shortfall, which the Goa govt has failed badly. We now have to purchase power at high rates from other States, which is then passed on to the consumers. Poor planning is the least that one can say.
