The programme of ‘Development of Solar City’ by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India launched in 2008 is aimed to promote the use of Renewable Energy in Urban Areas by providing support to the Municipal Corporations for preparation and implementation of a Road Map to develop their cities as Solar Cities. Under which a total of 60 cities/towns are to be developed as ‘solar/green cities’.
The program aims at a minimum 10% reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years which can be achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and enhancing supply from renewable energy sources. Under the programme, MNRE has sanctioned the development of Guwahati as Solar City in Assam by Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA) through Guwahati Municipal Corporation at an estimated cost of Rs. 45, 45,000.00 (Rupees forty Five Lakh Forty Five Thousand only) in 2010. The activity-wise detail of the sanctioned amount is as follows:
AEDA is the State Nodal Agency for the Solar City programme. Under the programme, Guwahati Municipal Corporation has received Rs. 2, 72, 500.00 as a first installment towards 50% of Rs 5, 45, 000.00 for preparation of Master Plan.
The Master Plan of Guwahati City was submitted to MNRE in July 2012 and was approved in January 2014. As per the estimates of the Master Plan, the total budgeted expenditure to be incurred on the five-year solar city plan would be around Rs.923.86 Crores.
Assam Energy Development Agency
Bigyan Bhawan, Near IDBI Building,
ABC, G. S. Road, Guwahati- 781005
Phone: 0361-2450147, 2450646
Fax: 0361-2464617
Email: assamrenewable@gmail.com
Website: assamrenewable.org