DISPUR, Assam: The Janata Bhawan Solar Project at the Assam Secretariat Complex was officially inaugurated by the Assam Chief Minister, Hemanta Biswa Sarma. This project marks a significant milestone as it makes the Assam Secretariat Complex the first civil secretariat in the country to be completely powered by solar energy for its daily electricity needs.
This solar project has a grid-connected capacity of 2.5 MegaWatt, which is installed on the rooftop and is expected to produce an average of 300,000 units of electricity per month. The total investment for this project is Rs 12.56 crore and it is estimated that this investment will be recovered within four years. The monthly savings from this project are projected to be approximately Rs 30 lakhs.
With a life- span of 25 years, this solar plant will cut down 3060 metric tonnes of carbon emissions annually and 76,500 metric tonnes of carbon emissions during its lifetime.
Sarma called the project’s initiation a significant milestone in the state’s progress toward embracing green energy. He mentioned that the state government had been paying about Rs. 30 lakhs on a monthly basis to the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited for traditionally produced electricity consumption. Transitioning to green energy will help the government utilise its resources for the welfare of the socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society.
CM Sarma emphasised the importance of every government office gradually transitioning to solar power. Initially, he called upon the medical colleges and universities to make the switch to solar energy.
Speaking about the state government’s initiatives aimed at the promotion of green energy, the Chief Minister referred to the 25-Mw Solar Power Project at Namrup Thermal Power Station in the Dibrugarh district. This joint venture between the Assam Power Generation Corporation and Oil India Limited spans 108 acres, worth Rs 115 crore.
He also spoke about the solar projects at Bharchalla in the Sonitpur district, Khudigaon in Dhubri district, and the 1,000-Mw project in Karbi Anglong. On completion, these projects shall drastically reduce the state’s dependence on energy procured from outside the state, he added.
The Chief Minister also urged the general public to enroll in the “PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Scheme” in order to reduce household electricity expenses by installing solar panels. He mentioned that households can experience an 85 per cent decrease in electricity consumption expenses through the installation of solar panels.
Sarma further added that from July 1, 2024, the provision of free electricity supply to the official quarters of the Chief Minister, other senior ministers, and senior government officials shall be one away and they will be asked to pay for the electricity consumption.