Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Non-conventional energy minister Atul Save on Thursday urged the municipal corporation to immediately submit a proposal for a 100 MW solar power project, assuring that it would receive prompt approval.
He said the project would help the civic body manage rising electricity costs once the new water supply scheme begins. Save was speaking to journalists at the municipal corporation after the election of the standing committee chairperson. Municipal commissioner G. Sreekanth was also present. He said water supply to the city will begin soon, with water from Jayakwadi Dam to be taken into the jackwell on Gudi Padwa, after which pumping operations will start. To lift 200 MLD of water, two large pumps have been installed, one with a capacity of 3,700 horsepower. Operating these pumps will significantly increase the corporation’s electricity expenditure. The civic body currently pays over Rs 3 crore per month as electricity bills, which are expected to rise to Rs 10–12 crore once pumping begins. Considering the financial burden, the corporation is exploring the option of establishing a solar power project and leasing land around the city for the purpose. Initially, a 50 MW project was proposed, but Save suggested submitting a proposal for 100 MW, stating that the project would benefit the municipal corporation for the next 50 years and contribute to the city’s transformation in the coming five years.