The West Bengal Government will soon roll out policy guidelines on renewable energy, Mr M. K. De, Principal Secretary, Department of Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources, said here on Thursday.
According to Mr De, the policy has already been drafted and is awaiting approval. “The State's Renewable Energy Policy will have guidelines for co-generation and power generation from different renewable sources,” he told mediapersons on the sidelines of a discussion on the State's energy policy and environmental issues, organised by Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He pointed out that grid-connected large solar plants following the guidelines of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), was not the only normative directive for generation of solar energy.
“We can also consider installing small rooftop solar plants across the State. These units may produce surplus after individual use and that can be used commercially. Grid-connected large plant is not the only solution,” Mr De said.
The State Regulatory Commission has already started focusing on installation of domestic rooftop solar plants, he added. At present, renewable energy accounts for 2.5 per cent of the total consumption in West Bengal.
Asked about the tariffs for solar energy in West Bengal, Mr De confirmed that the companies would have to offer a competitive tariff. “Consumer should not be asked to pay more,” he said.