Govt focusing on reducing coal-based energy, says Vij

Haryana Energy and Transport Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday said that the government was focusing on solar and wind energy to generate power and reduce dependency on coal-based energy.

“The government has been motivating people to adopt solar energy. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, Haryana has a target of covering 1 lakh houses, of which a target of 17,000 houses has been covered and the remaining will be covered by March-end next year. Farmers are being asked to get solar pumps but they hesitate, hence I have asked the officials to set up a solar powerhouse in the village to provide solar energy instead of directly asking the farmers to install the solar pumps,” he said.

The minister was addressing a gathering on the occasion of the augmentation of 66-KV substation in Ambala Cantonment.

He said, “Officials of the energy department have been directed to prepare a pilot project, adopt a village and provide solar power energy to the entire village from a solar power house during the day time. The farmers will be able to get their work completed during the daytime and the farmers also want the same. They are not happy with the night supply of power to irrigate fields. I am hopeful that the project will be successful and it will reduce our dependency on coal-based energy. It is also beneficial for the environment.”

“The government is working to bring more reforms in the energy sector and structure. Soon, the department will install pre-paid domestic power meters, and it will reduce the complaints related to power bills. The consumers will be able to use power as per their needs. On behalf of the department, I assure the people of Haryana that we will work day and night to provide uninterrupted and cost-effective power supply,” the minister added.

Vij said, “The people of Ambala Cantonment used to suffer due to frequent power cuts but we have made sincere efforts to improve the power supply. The augmentation of the substation will benefit the people of Ambala Cantonment. Earlier, there was no backup due to the power of one substation going off, but now we will have backup. The load capacity of the substation has been increased.”