VMC chief engineer M.A. Shukoor observed that residents could tap solar energy for heating water, lighting electric bulbs and other needs.

Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has prepared the ambitious Vijayawada Solar City Master Plan at an estimated cost of Rs 256.50 crore.

The plan aims to reduce by 10 per cent in five years’ time the consumption of conventional energy by corporate, commercial and industrial sectors and domestic users too. It envisages using solar energy instead of electricity, petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG or other alternatives, having just completed the installation of five solar energy plants at the VMC offices in the city.

Now, as the city turns into a destination for migrating employees and other stake holders from Hyderabad to Vijayawada, the promotion of solar energy to reduce air pollution has gained importance. The VMC, in its master plan, explained that, this was in harmony with a preset goal of a minimum 10 per cent reduction in projected total demand of conventional energy at the end of five years.

It has already created a Solar Cell to implement its plan, with officials in the engineering department explaining that they have been creating awareness among residents to shift from conventional energy usage to solar energy taping by installing the solar panels on the roof tops of their houses.

VMC chief engineer M.A. Shukoor observed that residents could tap solar energy for heating water, lighting electric bulbs and other needs.

K. Srihari, a city resident, said that VMC officials ought to provide people proper knowledge about solar energy, which would help them meet their targets.