Open solar energy projects at Kuravilangadu panchayat

Even as the State is on the final stages of becoming fully electrified, Kerala has turned its focus on renewable energy resources, including solar power, to build energy independence, Power Minister M.M. Mani has said.

Inaugurating the solar energy projects worth ₹37 lakh implemented by the Kuravilangadu panchayat here on Sunday, the Minister said a plan was already in place to generate energy using panels installed on roof top and floating on dams. The floating power projects would be implemented with support from the Union government.

``While the State has a total of 1.26 crore energy connections, it generates only 30% of this energy. We are now depending on neighbouring States to meet the remaining power requirements, in turn imposing a major financial burden on the State,’’ the Minister said.

According to him, the floods last year inflicted damages totalling ₹820 crore on the State’s power sector. ``As many three-lakh energy meters were damaged and about 5,000 km long power cables were damaged,’’ he said.

The projects launched here on Sunday included a project worth ₹14 lakh for installation of 100 kilowatt solar panels in 70 house holds, solar lamps to SC.ST families and installation of 10 kilowatt solar panels on the roof of the panchayat office complex here.