Strongly advocating for fiscal discipline, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas batted for expansion of energy infrastructure, use of modern technology and time-bound implementation of renewable energy projects in a review meeting of energy department.
He said that Rajasthan is on its way to become self-reliant in the energy sector.
“Energy is among top priorities of the state government. We need to expand energy infrastructure while ensuring financial strength of discoms,” he said.
Consumers to benefit from the battery energy storage system
Reviewing the progress of the pilot projects of battery energy storage system in the meeting, Srinivas said that this technology is very important for effective storage of excess electricity produced from PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and other solar energy projects.
“This will reduce the need to buy expensive power at peak hours and discoms will have significant financial savings annually,” he said.
Additional financial strength from debt restructuring
Reviewing the progress of debt restructuring of DISCOMs, Srinivas said that re-pricing of higher interest rate loans taken from REC and PFCs is bringing significant interest savings annually to the DISCOMs.
He directed for effective coordination and dialogue with concerned financial institutions to ensure speedy re-pricing of the remaining higher interest rate loans.
Speed up the work of Green Energy Corridor
Srinivas reviewed the ongoing construction works in Hanumangarh and Udaipur under the Green Energy Corridor Phase-II and gave instructions to complete the projects within the stipulated time limit. He said that the completion of these projects will promote smooth transmission of renewable energy in the state and make the transmission network of Rajasthan more modernised and robust.
Instructions for wide publicity of PM Surya Ghar Yojana
Srinivas directed to run a comprehensive public awareness campaign by preparing an effective information, education and communication IEC action plan to ensure access to more beneficiaries of PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme.
