Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli will soon be solar cities

The Centre has sanctioned funds to 16 second-tier cities to aid their transition to ‘solar city’ status. The cities to receive financial aid, which include Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli and Nagpur from the state, are among the 43 selected from across India for the ‘solar city’ programme. Under this, the cities have to meet at least 10% of the incremental energy needs through renewable sources over the next five years.

The initial amount of Rs50 lakh, to be handed over to the local government body, will be used for activities such as setting up a special ‘solar cell’ in the city council, preparing a master plan for meeting targets and promoting the ‘solar city’ programme.

The programme, to be implemented through the city corporations, is one of the initiatives of the ministry of new and renewable energy, under a long-term plan to augment solar capacity in the country. The ministry is also executing an ambitious project to take
India’s solar production capacity from around 50 megawatt to 1,300 megawatt  (MW) over the next two-and-a-half years.

The ministry plans to identify 60 city corporations with a “high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy” to serve as examples for the remaining areas. Around 34 cities were identified as of the end of last year and the number has since risen to 43, according to information from the ministry.

The cities, with population ranging between 5 lakh to 50 lakh, will be identified and funds will be allocated by March 2013. Maharashtra led with the maximum of 5 cities approved for inclusion in the project, including Aurangabad and Nanded. At least one city is to be included from each state, according to the ministry.