The stateagriculturedepartment expressed its eagerness to shift the energy load of agricultural activities to renewable Resources, particularlysolarenergy, after an expert committee projected an estimated of Rs 12,465 crore to the state exchequer in the next 15 years, if done so.
The State Government gives huge amounts of subsidy to farmers onpowerbills for their consumption in agricultural activities. As per the roadmap on energy transition in Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture sector, prepared by theJharkhandRenewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) in consultation with the Centre for Environment and Energy Development (CEED) and Centre for Excellence in Green Energy & Efficient Technology, Central University of Jharkhand, switching to renewable resources would bring down thecostof power substantially and result in savings for the state, which it otherwise gives as subsidy. It would also help the farmers in augmenting their income.
While the roadmap elaborates a slew of measures which can initially reduce the cost of power and save subsidy, it goes on to suggest the development of solarised cold stores and warehouses which can further prove to be sites of Entrepreneurship and activity favouring installation of rooftop grid connected solar Plants.
Highlighting the key aspects of the study conducted for preparing the roadmap, CEEDs Ashwini Ashok said agricultures contribution to the states GDP is as low as 13% and the sector consumes merely 3% of the power from conventional sources. There is a huge scope to incorporate power usage and augment its share to the state GDP. The government will be able to save around Rs 12,465 crore while adding a solar capacity of 4250MW. Solarisation can be instrumental in avoiding CO2 emissions of more than 36.4 million tonnes in the next 15 years he added.