Bhubaneswar will now convert into a ‘Green Energy and Solar City’. By increasing its potential for solar and other clean sources, the city aims to become independent in meeting its electricity demands.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) selected Bhubaneswar for transformation under the Green City Mission. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is setting up to implement the project, and further instructions are given by the state’s energy department.
Two major partners of the missions are – Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) and Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) which collaborate with BMC to search for places for solar panel installations.
Authorities of OREDA, TPCODL, and BMC have identified about 42 places of roads where solar-powered street lights will be installed. They have planned the projects and will now begin with the installations.
Apart from street lights, the project also includes solar trees installed at religious and cultural places to reduce the dependence on conventional energy sources. OREDA plans to establish 100 solar trees with 400 lights and 120 solar-powered water kiosks around the city.
In addition, OREDA will undergo a 10 MW rooftop solar project on government buildings through the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO), this is a model of zero investment in which consumers have to only pay for power generated and solar plants owned by RESCO developers.
TPCODL is initiating a program for 5 MW rooftop solar energy for households and a 1.3 MW solar plant for civic facilities and other commercial industries by installing solar-powered EV charging stations.
Officials from BMC are forming a determined ‘Sustainable Initiatives Cell’ to ensure coordination between all the departments and execution of the Green City Mission.
This project is not just for Bhubaneswar but also for all the cities of the country to take this as an aspiration to grow sustainability and to adopt renewable energy as a major source of electricity.
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