Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas

Chandigarh, August 19 - Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy,Mr Vilas Muttemwar today said that the national level function tocelebrate Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas this year would be organisedin Haryana at Panchkula tomorrow.The Union Minister, who was addressing a joint press conference alongwith Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, here todaysaid that India was the only country to have an independent Ministryof New and Renewable Energy. He said that with a view to give impetusto the renewable energy revolution in the country, the UPA Governmentat the Centre had, five years ago decided to celebrate Akshay UrjaDivas on August 20, which happenes to be the birthday of former PrimeMinister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. Two years ago a postal stamp on Akshay Urjawas also released.He described the sources of energy as the parameters of a country'sprogress adding that fossil fuel was depleting and now efforts werebeing made to promote renewable energy. He said that the former PrimeMinister, Mr. Indira Gandhi had initiated a separate department ofRenewable Energy in 1980 which later on became a separate ministry.He said that today India ranked at number four in wind energyfollowed by Germany, Spain and USA. He said that in case of solarenergy, India had a potential of generation of 5000 trillion MW andit could supply solar energy to the entire world.He appreciated that Haryana Government had decided to generate 10 percent of its energy requirement through renewable sources of energy.This was more than many other States, he added.He said that both Haryana and Punjab were leading in foodgrainproduction and the agricultural waste could help in setting up of biomass projects and subsidy and loan would be provided for theseprojects. A first of its kind thermal solar power project in Asiawould be set up at Nagpur district to generate 10 MW of power. Thiswould be the biggest project in Asia. The solar power generationprojects have less gestation period and its construction cost has alsocome down.Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that this yearHaryana has the honour of organizing the national level function onRajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Divas, in association with the Union Ministryof New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), at Panchkula tomorrow.The national level function of Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas wouldstart at the Parade Ground, Panchkula at 7 a.m. tomorrow with anational half marathon of 21kms in which about 1500 athletes wouldparticipate. The 1st prize will be of Rs one lakh lakh each for Menand Women categories, 2nd prize is of Rs 71,000 each and the 3rd prizeis of Rs 51,000 each for Men & Women. It will be followed by anAkshay Urja Rally of about 15000 students from Chandigarh, Panchkulaand Mohali. For the first time in the tricity, a sky diving show willalso be organized. One of the main attractions of the function will bethe rally of Electric Vehicles (two wheelers, three wheelers & Fourwheelers) manufactured and developed in India. Haryana renewableenergy programmes are implemented with the help of village Panchayats.To encourage Panchayats to participate in the renewable energyprogrammes they are awarded every year. On this occasion, Panchayatswill also be awarded for their participation in the Renewable EnergyProgrammes during the year 2007-2008.Mr. Hooda said that the State Government has more than doubled theAnnual Plan allocation of the Department of Renewable Energy. TheDepartment of Renewable Energy has taken many important initiativesand has brought the State on the renewable energy map of thecountry.The President of India Mrs Pratibha Patil awarded threeNational Awards to the Department of Renewable Energy, Hayana for itsexcellent performance in various renewable energy programmes onNovember 22, 2007 on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Function of theUnion Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.These awards are - FirstPrize for Solar Urban Programme, First Prize for Solar CookerProgramme and Third Prize for Solar Photovoltaic DemonstrationProgramme. He said that Haryana Government has notified a Renewable EnergyPower Policy for attracting private investment in generation ofelectricity from Renewable Energy Sources. Under this policy,Renewable Energy Power Projects have been given industry status undernew Industrial Policy, 2005 , in addition to many other incentives. Mr Hooda said that 30 MoUs have been signed on February 20,2007 withten Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for generation of 697.8 MW ofpower with an investment of Rs. 3278 crores from 30 projects based onBiomass, Small Hydro and Wind Energy. The projects are underimplementation and likely to be commissioned by mid 2009. Also,Letters of Intent are also being issued to six IPPs for generation of12 MW power with an approximate investment of Rs. 254 crores by theIPPs using solar photovoltaic technology under the Union Ministry ofNew and Renewable Energy's SPV Tariff Subsidy Scheme.The tariffsannounced by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) forthese projects are the highest in the country with the tariff forbiomass power projects being at Rs four per unit, for Mini Hydel Rs3.67 per unit, Bagasse Cogeneration Rs 3.74 per unit, Wind Rs 4.08 perunit (base year 2007-2008 annual escalation at a rate of two percent, 1.5 per cent, two per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively). ForSolar Photovoltaic Based Power Projects also the tariff announced bythe HERC is the highest in the country at Rs.15.96 per unit. Haryana is the first State in the country to implement a SpecialProject for street lighting of villages dominated by members belongingto Scheduled Castes. Under Phase-I, 1489 solar street lights wereinstalled at a cost of Rs. 3.83 crores in 222 villages of Ambala,Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts.In Phase-II, 314 solar street lighting systems have been installed in12 villages of Rohtak and Jhajjar at a cost of Rs.70.65 lakhs. Theseprojects are funded by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energyand Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. In the 3rd phase, this project is proposed to be implemented in thevillages dominated by Scheduled Castes or Minority in districts ofKurukshetra, Kaithal, Panipat, Sonepat & Mewat where 2199 solar streetlights will be installed at a cost of Rs 4.97 crores.As many as 194unelectrified dhanies of Morni block in district Panchkula have beenelectrified with solar energy at a cost of Rs 387.56 lakhs benefiting625 households under the Remote Village Electrification Project.TheDepartment has taken up multi-pronged strategy for promotion of SolarWater Heating Systems in the State. Under this programme, HaryanaGovernment is providing a number of incentives to the users of solarwater heating systems.On installation of solar water heating system,capital subsidy of Rs 5000 on 100 litre and RS.1 0,000 on 200 litreis provided. He said that a rebate in electricity bills is provided to the usersof solar water heating systems in the domestic sectors at a rate ofRs. 100 per month per 100 LPD capacity system. For 100 LPD system theannual rebate is Rs 1200 and for 300 LPD system, the annual rebate inelectricity bill is of Rs.3600. Those present on the occasion included Deputy Chief Minister MrChander Mohan, Principal Secretary to Haryana Chief Minister, MrM.L.Tayal, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Power MrAshok Lavasa, Director Renewable Energy Department, Mrs Sumita Misraand senior officers of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.