Bengal leads India’s Sustainable Energy plans for 2022
A massive rise in energy demand as well as rapid depletion of the fossil fuels has forced the entire world to think about the utilization of renewable energy resources. The severe impact of environmental degradation has diverted global interest towards renewable energy resources. West Bengal now shows the lead in India in generating such resources. Bengal, being the gateway to Eastern India, has the ability to successfully bring about a growth in such energy resources through simple means. Like rooftop solar and wind energy, leading to spillover benefits through technology, skills, business models, and experience that can move the country forward to providing energy access for all by 2022.
West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) is the State Nodal Agency for implementation of Non – Conventional Energy Programmes in Bengal. While windmills in Frazerganj and Kakdwip are being used for household benefits, solar power is being used also in a large way.
“Our state government is drawing up major schemes for the promotion of solar power and other sources of renewable energy like tidal power in Bengal. One such scheme is ‘Aaloshree’ under which roofs of all government offices and schools are being fitted with solar panels,” West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had tweeted on National Renewable Energy Day.
Though, the installation cost of such sources is high but low running cost and their environment-friendly nature increases their use throughout the world. Wind and solar power are two of the largest renewable energy resources due to operational and commercial assistance. West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) is the State Nodal Agency for implementation of Non – Conventional Energy Programmes in Bengal. While windmills in Frazerganj and Kakdwip are being used for household benefits, solar power is being used also in a large way. “WBREDA helps in promotion and generating awareness among the mass about such renewable resources and we are also planning to create more such solar and wind generated power plants for public benefit,” said Nandini Saraswati, CEO of WBREDA.
The Wind Solar Hybrid Systems has been commissioned in many schools of Sundarbans like Manasadwip Ramkrishna Mission High School, Ghoramara Milan Vidyapith, Natendrapur Natendranath High School, Rudranagar Debendra Vidyapith, Dhablat Lakshman Parabesh High School and Bishnupur Khagendranath Balkrishna Vidyabhaban.
WBREDA installed 8X 250 kW Wind Energy Generators at Frazerganj. WBREDA is getting service charge from WBSEDCL by selling power to their grid. The performance is quite satisfactory and WBREDA is working out the financial proposition in respect of expenditure involved to set right the non-operating machine and expected service to be generated soon.
WBREDA conceived a project proposal for installation of six Wind – Solar Hybrid Projects for six different schools under Sagar Block in Sundarbans. The main objective of the project is to provide power for operating Computers and Laboratory Equipment. Each hybrid system comprises of 3 kW Aero Generator and 3 kW PV with Battery Storage System. The total financial involvement for this purpose would be Rs 133.40 Lacs.
The Wind Solar Hybrid Systems has been commissioned in many schools of Sundarbans like Manasadwip Ramkrishna Mission High School, Ghoramara Milan Vidyapith, Natendrapur Natendranath High School, Rudranagar Debendra Vidyapith, Dhablat Lakshman Parabesh High School and Bishnupur Khagendranath Balkrishna Vidyabhaban. WBREDA has initiated a proposal for installation of 2 MW capacity Power Plant through Wind Energy. As Saraswati pointed out: “Rural sectors are more aware than urban sectors about these alternative sources of energy and our aim is to create mass awareness so that more people use it.”
WBREDA has prepared a proposal for installation of two more Wind Energy Generation Projects with capacity 1 X 250 Kw each at Ganga Sagar & Beguakhali in Sagar Island under South 24 Parganas District.
