Development of Solar Cities

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on ‘Development of Solar Cities’ which aims to reduce a minimum of 10% of the projected demand of conventional energy of the city through renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures. Sixty Cities are proposed to be developed as Solar Cities during the Eleventh Plan period including four Model Solar Cities and 10 Pilot Solar Cities. The Master plan for each Solar City is being prepared to assess and utilize various renewable sources including Solar, Wind, Municipal Waste etc.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah informed that the Ministry is providing financial support up to Rs. 50 lakh for each solar city to the respective City Government for preparation of a master plan, setting-up institutional arrangements for the implementation of the master plan, awareness generation and capacity building activities. So far, he said, sanctions have been given for developing 36 Solar Cities including State Capitals in the Country. The Minister said that besides this, the Ministry is also promoting renewable energy systems and projects on solar and municipal waste-to-energy technologies through fiscal and financial incentives in the cities under other national level programmes.