Power dept to focus on development of alternate energy resources: Minister

Kolkata: State power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said that the aim of his department in the coming years will be to focus on the development of alternative energy resources on a large scale so that natural energy sources can be used in the generation of power.

The state Power department has already developed a comprehensive strategy on how to develop solar and other non-conventional energy in the state. Chattopadhyay said that some solar parks have come up in the state while many more will also be set up.

He also said that in a state like Bengal where the population density is very high, it is always difficult to set up a solar park of 500 mW which the Central government has proposed as it would require 2,000 acre land. The minister was speaking at the 10th edition of the Annual Environment and Energy Conclave, an international forum for Climate Change mitigation and business opportunity organised by the Bengal Chamber on August 23-24.

In Bengal there is a shortage of land and therefore, it is more convenient for the state to set up small solar parks. The state Power department has been setting up solar plants in various places. Canal bank solar projects, each having a capacity of 10 mW, will be set up in various parts of the state.

Following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's instructions, state Power department has set a target of setting up solar panels on rooftops of 1,500 government offices, school s and colleges under the 'Aloshree' project. Solar panels have already been set up in more than 500 office buildings and schools.

It may be mentioned here that the Power department is also planning to use solar lights in villages situated on the banks of rivers at various places. The department has already found it more feasible to use solar lights in the villages as the electric poles might be damaged due to erosion which is rampant in some villages in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith said: "Climate change is one of the biggest threats to global prosperity and stability. We recognise that it is in our own interest to prevent dangerous climate change."