Sunil Sharma, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Telangana speaks to Sudheer Goutham on the various energy programs in Telangana
Q. How is the Clean & Green Energy program doing?
The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) is overseeing the ‘Clean & Green’ program under the leadership of Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N Janaiah. Telangana is doing well in solar energy and has gone in for a decentralized solar policy for the first time in the country.
It is heartening to know that the negligible production of 78 Megawatt happened in the year of 2014 when the state was formed, today we have reached to 40200 Megawatt & this is a great achievement for us.
Q. Please tell us about solar rooftops.
There is a lot of emphasis on solar roof tops. Awareness has grown among the common man and people are adopting it well. We have demonstrated to them & they have understood that if they take this the electricity net billing would be zero. That would be a continuous saving till lifetime. Initially, the expenditure would be of Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs but the benefits that one reaps is for a lifetime.
The policy on net metering for Solar Grid interactive roof-top and Small PV Power Plants will go a long way in turning the state into a solar rich state. The Net metering facility is provided to the consumers to generate Solar Power for self-consumption and feeding excess power into the grid when it is not being consumed by them.
Q. What are the initiatives to promote electric vehicles?
The government is leaving no stone unturned in making Telangana the EV hub. Today, there are 9000 electric vehicles in the state and the interest is exponential. We foresee a time when demand will be much more than the supply. The government is creating a conducive environment for the EV market to flourish.
Concessions are given to the industry in a big way and many are flocking to Telangana.
The government has given a subsidy to the tune of Rs 35 crore which is a testimony to the focus that is given to this sector. In the future, everyone would be using electric vehicles. Many who are looking to purchase a second vehicle would definitely go for electric vehicles. One can witness a perceptible change in people towards electric vehicles.
The Government is keen on implementing Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) and is setting up charging stations across the cities and towns.
Q. Explain the waste energy program.
Waste to energy is a very good program which has been taken in the state, 19 megawatt is right now running in the state & another 40 Megawatt is in the pipeline which would be the double purpose. One is disposing the waste in a proper way and at the same time it would lead to generation of electricity. We will have clean energy & clean disposal at the same time so this will be a bonus.
Q. What steps have been taken on the street lights front?
Earlier we had the traditional streetlights that consumed a lot of electricity & even the light was not very good & not very bright. Today, we have replaced 90 lakh street lights in the municipal area. It is LED light where consumption is low at the same time the brightness is also very good and it is very soothing to the eyes & 90 lacs are in the pipeline to be installed in the panchayat level.
Q. Telangana has done fairly well in ECBC. Your comments.
Telangana state has taken the lead in ECBC. Every district has a collector’s building of 1.2 to 1.5 lakh sq. feet with quarters of the collectors & joint collectors. Also, SPs, additional SPs for the buildings which are constructed with the ECBC norms save a lot of electricity. We are ensuring that the state tops in clean energy and that will not only help the economy of the state it will also improve the health status of the citizens of the state. Where people would be spending less & they would be healthier and the state would be benefiting in terms of more income for the state. We want to go in a way that would be a great contribution to the entire society.