Promote solar energy in Delhi: Farooq Abdullah to Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah today called on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and asked her to promote solar energy in the national capital.

Abdullah particularly requested Dikshit to consider setting up of a solar energy park near the Delhi Secretariat to generate at least five mega watt of power daily.

The Delhi Secretariat, which houses offices of the chief minister and all other Delhi ministers, currently has a daily energy demand of 2.5 mega watt.

Dikshit while responding to the proposal, stated that her government is keen to harness solar power which is clean and pollution-free.

Dikshit assured that her government would soon identify a piece of land around Delhi Secretariat for the project.

Abdullah said the Solar Power Generation facility would be commissioned on the lines of Solar Power Generation at Chhattishgarh's New Secretariat at Naya Raipur.

He said Delhi secretariat would consume 2.5 MW and the balance 2.5 MW could be transferred into the grid.

He assured that the city government would get solar power at Rs 5 per unit for the next 25 years.

The Solar Energy Park would also highlight the importance of harnessing solar power.

The issue of supplementing gas plants with solar plants and installation of solar PV panels on rooftops was also discussed during the meet, officials said.

Abdullah said one MW solar power can be generated at Old Delhi Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary D M Spolia, Power Secretary Shakti Sinha and other senior officers.