IEP Chandigarh, February 14
In a bid to make Punjab leading state in production and utilization of clean and green energy, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora called on Mr. RK Singh, Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy at his office, New Delhi to discuss various issues regarding renewable projects. Seeking Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to set up 100 MW Biomass Power projects in the state, Mr. Aman Arora apprised the Union Minister that these proposed projects would consume one million ton paddy straw per annum and it will go a long way to save the environment by finding a sustainable solution to the agriculture residue burning menace. He requested Mr. RK Singh to consider the demand for providing Rs.5 crore per MW VGF for these 100MW Biomass Power projects. Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has been making concerted efforts for utilization of agri-residue as a fuel, said Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister, while adding that with the hand holding of Government of India (GoI) Punjab can lead in production of Renewable Energy for the greater interest of whole mankind. He also sought financial assistance and technical support for setting up Biomass Solar Hybrid Power projects in the state. Raising the issues related to green hydrogen, Mr Aman Arora said that GoI should provide technical support and financial assistance for setting up agriculture residue based green hydrogen projects under National Green Hydrogen Mission. Union Minister Mr. RK Singh assured the Punjab Cabinet Minister that the Ministry will consider providing VGF for Biomass Power projects and will resolve all the other issues at the earliest, besides considering Punjab one of the favorite states under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
