Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28:
To replenish energy sources and provide electricity to remote villages which have not been electrified yet, the State Government has framed a policy on renewable energy sources.
Moreover, provisions for extending incentives to private investors have also been incorporated to encourage participation of private investors in the new venture.
The new venture would be taken up by the Science and Technology Department with the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) as nodal agency, a reliable source informed The Sangai Express.
It is expected that many villages which have not been electrified yet would be able to enjoy the advantages of electricity once the policy is implemented.
The policy aimed at building pico, micro, mini and small hydro power projects in addition to wind, solar and bio-gas plants with installed capacity of 25 MW at the most also includes provision for extending incentives to encourage private investors in the new venture.
The venture would be implemented by constituting self help groups under village level authorities in line with the Village Development Board of Nagaland.
Such arrangement would not only strengthen village authorities but also encourage them participate in project implementation, management and maintenance.
These projects would also provide the added benefit of local employment, observed the source.
The Departments of Power, Forest and Science and Technology would provide necessary technical support and expertise for successful implementation of the policy.
Further, district advisory committees with Deputy Commissioners as chairmen would be constituted to ensure complete success of the project, he informed.
If any individual/firm produces energy under the policy, the Power Department would sign a power purchase agreement with the individual/firm concerned for a duration of 20 years.
The Power Department would buy power from the private developers at the rate of Rs 2.25 per unit which would be increased by 5 percent every year.
The power plant developer will also have the option to sell electricity generated by him/her to a third party at a rate agreeable to both the parties.
Further, consumption of electricity by the producers themselves or for sale to a nominated third party will be exempted from electricity duty for a period of 5 years from the Commercial Operation Date.
Just as incentives are provided to industrial units, eligible producers indulging in establishment of such power generation plants would also be provided similar incentives.
Saying that sales tax would be exempted for eligible electricity producers, the official source informed that water necessary for power generation would also be provided with some royalty extended to the Irrigation Department.
He further disclosed that a State level advisory council with the Chief Secretary as chairman would also be instituted to monitor the proposed venture to generate non-conventional energy in the State.