K'taka govt to formulate policy on renewable energy

Bangalore, Sep 4 (UNI) Karnataka Government will formulate 'Renewable Energy Policy' with an emphasis on exploiting solar source of power, Principal Secretary State Energy Department K Jairaj said here today.

Speaking at an interaction meeting on acceleration of Solar Water Heating Installation and Energy Efficient Green Building in Karnataka, organised jointly by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (KREDL) here, Mr Jairaj said the new policy will be in place in two months.

He said the KREDL would formulate a policy aimed at doubling the present capacity of 2000 MW power to 4000 MW in the next five years from renewable energy sources, including wind, co-generation, bio=gas and solar sources.

Bangalore leads the State in harnessing Solar energy and over 94,000 houses in the city were equipped with Solar Heating systems, Mr Jairaj said. ''The potential was enormous, as the city has over eleven lakh dwelling houses in this direction,'' he added.

Karnataka Government has made it mandatory the use of Solar Water Heating Systems in Industries, Hospitals and Nursing Homes, Hotels and Housing Complex, set-up by Group Housing Societies and Housing Boards, he said.

A seperate law was passed, making it mandatory, use of Solar Water Heating System in all residential buildings built on 600 sqft area, falling within the limits of Muncipalities, Corporations and Bangalore Development Authority(BDA) sectors, he added.

Mr Jairaj said State Government would switch over to solar powered street lights from the present conventional sources of electricity.

''Already 11,500 street lights have been converted into Solar powered'' he added.

Mr Deepak Gupta, Union Secretary Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said the department had set a target to set-up 60 model green cities around the country during 11th plan.

There was also a praposal before the ministry to impose the Green City concept on all the SEZs in future.

UNI MV AKM SR KN1730