Government aims at increasing solar energy production

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 2

In order to fulfill the ever-increasing demand for power in the state, the Punjab Government plans to give a boost to the renewable energy sector. For this, it targets to increase the solar energy production at least by 10 per cent till 2020.

In a press note issued here today, Bikram Majithia, Non-Conventional Energy Minister, stated that the state government aims to fulfill domestic power requirements by installing solar voltaic panels on the roof tops of the houses for which it would extend 70 per cent subsidy.

While exhorting the industrialists to invest in Punjab, he assured that the government would extend all possible help for the purpose.

“The Punjab Government has prepared a policy under which it would provide all clearances in a time-barred manner through a single window mechanism within a period of 60 days after the submission of complete application,” he said while adding that district administration has been directed to sort out local issues involved in the project clearance.

He said till now 250 megawatt solar projects have been set up in Punjab in a record time and 200 megawatt power would be generated from the solar panels installed on the roof tops.

While giving details about the New and Renewable Sources of Energy (NRSE) Policy – 2012, he said that besides encouraging production of non-conventional energy, it would waive 100 per cent electricity duty for power consumed from state licencee during construction and testing of the project.

Moreover, to promote usage/generation from the NRSE, manufacturing and sale of the NRSE devices/systems, and equipment/machinery required for NRSE Power Projects shall be exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT) and any cess thereupon.

He said cent per cent exemption from payment of fee and stamp duty for registration/lease deed charges for the land required for the project was amongst various facilities extended under the policy.