Government approval to develop 50 solar cities

In Uncategorized
August 23, 2015

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved a proposed master plan to develop 50 solar cities in the country. Out of the proposed 60 solar cities, sanctions have been issued for 50 cities that include New Delhi, Agra, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Amritsar, New Town (Kolkata), Howrah, Madhyamgram, Kochi and Bhopal.

Of these 50 cities, master plans have been prepared for 46 cities, including Agra, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Surat, Thane, Shirdi, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Imphal, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Bilaspur, Raipur, Agartala, Guwahati, Jorhat, Mysore, Shimla, Hamirpur, Jodhpur, Vijayawada, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Dehradun, Panaji and New Delhi (NDMC area).

Model Solar Cities

Eight cities are to be developed as ‘Model Solar Cities’. Of these 8 cities, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Gandhinagar and Mysore have so far been selected to be developed as ‘Model Solar Cities.

Pilot Solar Cities

Fifteen cities will be developed as ‘Pilot Solar Cities.’ Of the 15 cities, the government has so far named 13 that include Agartala, Coimbatore, Rajkot, Shimla, Faridabad, Thane, Raipur, Shirdi, Leh, Aizawl, Puducherry, Vijaywada and Amritsar are being developed as Pilot Solar City.

What is a Solar City?

The Solar City aims at minimum 10% reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years, through a combination of enhancing supply from renewable energy sources in the city and energy efficiency measures.

Objectives of the Solar City programme

To enable and empower Urban Local Governments to address energy challenges at City – level.
To provide a framework and support to prepare a Master Plan including assessment of current energy situation, future demand and action plans.
To build capacity in the Urban Local Bodies and create awareness among all sections of civil society.
To involve various stakeholders in the planning process.
To oversee the implementation of sustainable energy options through public – private partnerships.