Thursday, December 12, 2013: Farooq Abdullah, new and renewable energy minister shared that both Vijayawada and Mahbubnagar will be developed as solar cities. “Vijayawada and Mahbubnagar have been identified for developing them as solar cities,” Abdullah told the Rajya Sabha.
Abdullah also said that the main objective of a solar city is to cut down a minimum of 10 per cent of its projected demand of conventional energy by generating energy from renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures.
The minister also added that the time frame depends on the efforts taken by the city along with the availability of funds. He added, “The master plan for Vijayawada has been prepared with an estimated cost of Rs 2565 million for various projects.”
Abdullah said that for Vijayawada solar city, an amount of Rs 12,20,000 has been released so far for preparation of the master plan, setting up of a solar city cell and promotional activities, TOI added. “Mahbubnagar municipality is yet to take action for preparation of the master plan,” Abdullah said.
