Green power revolution                                                    in the offing !

From just 9 MW of installed solar power capacity in 2012, today the installed capacity in Punjab has crossed the 200 MW mark with more than 300 MW capacity in the pipeline. The state has seen a solar energy revolution, and is fast turning out to be an ideal investment destination. In an interaction withUpendra Singh on the sidelines of Punjab Solar Summit, Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab’s New and Renewable Energy Minister, talks about the state’s plan for the renewable sector and the impending Green Power Revolution

Q. Today, Punjab is applauded for its tremendous success in solar energy. How does it feel to get recognitions from the Central government as well as from the investors?

Ans. It has been a tough journey. In 2012 when I was given the charge of this department, we were at a cumulative installed capacity of 9 MW. No solar power developers looked at Punjab in a favourable way because Punjab doesn’t have vast tracks of barren land. Each and every piece of land is very fertile. In our state, the farmers give respect to the land even more than their real mothers. So, we had to put in a policy, and we brought out a policy. We had to build and win the confidence of the investors, and I am happy that we did that.

I often say that solar was regarded as a fashion once upon a time, but now it is about survival. Solar energy has become a necessity because we will have to face serious problems in times to come due to depleting fossil fuel reserves. So, each and every state has to build its portfolio and we are doing our effort. We are very happy with the support that we are getting from the Government of India. For me, it is a proud moment. We have taken big steps with the support of our Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. It is an honour to be a part of solar success story in Punjab.

Q. What are the measures that you took to instill confidence in the investors in Punjab’s solar programme?

Ans. During the course of preparation of the policy, we studies policies of various states and Centre and then finalised the Punjab’s policy. I also got a lot of support from Deputy CM, Sukhbir Singh Badal, in bringing a ‘single point clearance’ facility. The investors do not need to run from one department to another for getting clearances for setting up projects. All the clearances required for setting up projects are provided by a single person. We got a lot of benefit from this facility, as investors found it a hassle-free procedure.