Srinagar, Feb 15: Commissioner Secretary Science & Technology, Saurabh Bhagat on Thursday emphasized the importance of maximizing the adoption and utilisation of solar energy in the Union Territory. He said all the allied departments and agencies should provide full support in the successful implementation of this flagship programme.
“All the departments have to be fully integrated into this initiative and explore the possibilities besides assessing the feasibility and potential of each government building,” Bhagat said while chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here to discuss strategy regarding saturation of Solar Rooftop on Government Buildings of Jammu & Kashmir.
He said the solar energy, being both clean and cost-effective, aligns perfectly with J&K’s energy goals. The meeting was attended by Executive Director, NHPC, Managing Director, JPDCL, Managing Director, KPDCL, Managing Director, JKSPDC, CEO, JAKEDA, Managing Director, Regional Electrification Corporation J&K, Nodal Officers nominated by the Administrative Departments and other senior officers.
The Commissioner Secretary asked the officers to immediately start a survey of central government buildings in both divisions and share the data with the NHPC. He asked them to identify all the buildings fit for installation of the solar rooftops
It was informed in the meeting that it is envisaged that 100% of government buildings in the UT are to be covered under the rooftop solar programme. Regarding the number of government buildings department-wise, it was apprised that the department has identified 10 large departments.
Among them, the education department has 14000 buildings followed by the Rural Development Department, Home, Health & Medical Education, PDD Jal Shakti, Social Welfare Tourism and Higher education.
Addressing the nodal officers of the respective departments, the Commissioner Secretary said they should frame a clear roadmap and action plan regarding the adoption of the system to ensure implementation of the scheme as per its guidelines. He asked each of the departments to provide information like a list of their buildings along with sanctioned connected load, shadow-free rooftop space, geo-coordinates and other relevant details about such structures here.
Saurabh said all the newly constructed government buildings should have mandatory solar rooftops and the same should be reflected in the DPRs.
