Adding another chapter to the State’s endeavours at promoting green energy, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Janata Bhawan Solar Project, a 2.5-MW power generation capacity grid connected rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV system, at a ceremony held at the Assam Secretariat Complex thereby making the State Secretariat become the country’s first green State Government headquarters.
After inaugurating the project, Dr. Sarma reiterated his Government’s commitment to become a Net-Zero emission Government.
This project would yield an average of three lakh units of electricity monthly and the investment amount of ₹12.56 crore is projected to be recovered within a period of four years with monthly savings standing at approximately ₹30 lakh. With a lifespan of 25 years, this solar plant will cut down 3,060 MT of carbon emissions annually and 76,500 MT of carbon emissions during its lifetime.
Dr. Sarma referred to the launch of the project as a historic moment in the State’s march towards embracing green energy. The Chief Minister said the State government had been paying around ₹30 lakhs to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) per month for electricity consumption.
On the State Government’s initiatives aimed at promotion of green energy, the Chief Minister referred to solar projects at Bharchalla in Sonitpur district, Khudigaon in Dhubri district, the 1,000 MW project in Karbi Anglong, and one coming up at Namrup.
“These and other projects, on completion, shall drastically reduce the State’s dependence on energy procured from outside the State. These and other initiatives have led to the Assam Power Generation Company Limited (APGCL) earning a profit of ₹60 crore this year,” added Dr Sarma.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for every Government office to adopt solar power in a gradual and phased manner. In the initial phase, Dr Sarma called upon medical colleges and universities to make a transition to solar energy.
“Transition to green energy will help the government utilise its resources for the welfare of the socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the society,” said the Chief Minister.
He added that the power installations at all government offices will have automatic disconnection facilities at 8-9 pm, except Home, Finance and CM Secretariat.
“So far, the electricity bills of all ministers, senior officials and other staff staying at official quarters were being paid by the Government. This 75-year-old practice will stop in July. We will pay bills on our own,” Sarma said.
After implementing all these steps, which will result in saving of cost and power, the State-run APDCL will explore the possibility of reducing power tariff by ₹1 from April 1, 2025 to provide relief to consumers, he added.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to apply for the “PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Scheme” so that electricity consumption expenses of households can be brought down. Dr Sarma added that it has been observed that installation of solar panels results in an 85% decrease in households’ electricity consumption expenses.
