Srinagar, Dec 8: In a setback to the bold plans for sustainable vitality and agricultural integration, the 5 MW Agro-Photo voltaic Plant envisioned as a substitute for an current gasoline turbine at Pampore by the J&Ok Energy Improvement Company (JKPDC) has hit a decade-long roadblock.
The once-promising challenge, conceived ten years in the past, has encountered insurmountable challenges, failing to progress past the complexities of the tendering course of.
Officers mentioned that greater than ten years in the past, each the Authorities and the Board of Administrators of the company permitted the challenge.
The initiative took form on a parcel of 200 kanals of land after the cessation of gasoline generators.
Nonetheless, regardless of the passing of a decade the challenge has remained confined to papers solely as there was no bodily progress on the challenge thus far.
The agro-solar initiative, rooted within the idea of a Saffron-based PV Energy Plant, aimed to showcase the viability of coexisting saffron cultivation with solar energy technology.
An agricultural professional highlights the transformative potential of the challenge: “By changing saffron fields right into a mega Photo voltaic Energy Plant, not solely may we meet the Kashmir grid’s vitality calls for, however we may additionally considerably increase farmers’ revenue. It’s a pioneering effort on the intersection of agriculture and renewable vitality.”
The worldwide motion in the direction of distributed photo voltaic, significantly in agriculture, gained momentum with India’s KUSUM scheme in 2018.
Nonetheless, officers notice the less-explored side of Agrivoltaics: “Whereas KUSUM primarily centered on solar-powered pumps, the co-location of photo voltaic with agriculture, referred to as Agrivoltaics, has not witnessed the anticipated progress right here. There’s immense untapped potential on this strategy, providing twin advantages.”
Agrivoltaics, characterised by photo voltaic vegetation at elevated ranges, permits crop manufacturing beneath or between photo voltaic panels.
“Globally, Agrivoltaics has demonstrated its potential in growing farmer incomes, agricultural manufacturing, and native employment. The photo voltaic panels act as a protecting defend for crops towards harsh climate circumstances, offering an extra layer of resilience.”
Addressing the price considerations related to Agrivoltaics, specialists counsel, “Whereas elevated buildings might incur a 10-15% larger value, the long-term agricultural advantages outweigh this preliminary funding. To kickstart installations, a revised tariff construction, maybe beginning at Rs 5/kWh for the preliminary three years, might be a game-changer.”
Consultants unanimously emphasise the necessity for proactive measures from the J&Ok Authorities, specialists say: “Provisions permitting open entry installers to utilise agricultural lands for photo voltaic capacities can spur exponential progress in company photo voltaic procurement. It’s not nearly vitality, however a holistic strategy to financial sustainability.”
“Industries can contribute considerably by investing in and procuring vitality immediately from farmers, aligning with a broader technique of sustainable agriculture and vitality partnership.”
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