Nagpur, first model solar city in India

New Delhi, Feb 18 (ANI): An ambitious programme of development of solar cities is being launched tomorrow in the country. Nagpur in Maharashtra will be the first solar city in the country.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy proposed to develop 60 such cities during the 11th Plan Period. At least one city in each state to a maximum of five cities in a State will be supported by the Ministry.

To meet the peak electricity demand of cities, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expensive oil and gas for energy and to promote increased use of renewable energy, this scheme has been developed.

Nagpur will become model solar city by 2012 under the scheme. Up to 10 per cent of energy consumption of this city has been targeted to be met through renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

Fifty per cent of the cost will be shared by the Ministry where Rs. 50 lakh will be provided for Master Plan, solar city cell and promotional activities.

Major solar energy system will be installed including street lights, garden lights, traffic lights, hoardings, and solar water heaters. Energy efficient green buildings also will be promoted on large scale in the city.

To set an example for other cities to be developed as solar cities, it has been decided in the Ministry to develop two cities as model solar cities.

Financial support up to a maximum Rs.9.50 crore will be available to each of these model solar cities for implementation of the Master Plan developed under the scheme from the Ministry.

The support will be on 50 per cent cost sharing basis from respective Municipal Corporation/City Administration/State Government.

Release will be made after the city identified for development as model solar city submits its Master Plan for which a separate support is available under the scheme as per above.

As the total funds of Rs. 19 cores (MNRE support of Rs. 9.50 crore and the matching grant from Municipal Corporation/City Administration/State Government) for developing a city as model solar city may not be sufficient, the city, in addition to this grant will be eligible to draw separate support for installation of renewable energy systems from various ongoing schemes of the Ministry wherein the present restriction on the number/ capacity of renewable energy systems/devices being supported in a city, if any, may not be applicable. (ANI)