NDMC Targets 100% Renewable Energy in its Area by 2025

NDMC Announces Draft of New Solar Policy 2022

The New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), has announced the draft of its Solar Policy 2022, with the aim to provide 100% renewable energy in its entire area through Discoms by 2025. The policy, announced at a corporate meeting held on 28th September 2022, has been approved by the council.

To meet its goal, NDMC is targeting 142 MW hydropower capacity by the end of 2022, and 100 MW by the end of 2024. Also, the civic body will install a 150 MW solar power capacity by the end of 2024.

Mr. Satish Upadhyay, the vice chairman of NDMC has said, “Discussions are on to chalk out a policy, and we will also seek suggestions from the public on the same. The final plan will be drafted only after taking suggestions from all sides,” Upadhyay said.

The civic body will install solar power plants over government buildings, hospitals, educational institutes, embassies, stadiums, bridges, public toilets, bus stops, and kiosks. The policy also invites residential and commercial consumers to switch to solar energy.

The NDMC plans to conduct an audit of all solar power plants in its area first. The report will be submitted before the next council meeting, where the policy will get discussed further. Moreover, the policy is applicable for all solar power systems with a capacity of 1 kW/hr. or more.

NDMC officials have also stated that a net metering facility will be given to consumers. This will allow them to send their surplus solar energy back into the grid and reduce their electricity bills further. The organization also plans to give an exemption from additional costs such as the electricity tax and the conversion charges.

To simplify the installation process, NDMC will amend the building bylaws as well. These are the guidelines that regulate aspects such as the height, architectural design, construction, etc. of the buildings. The civic body has stated that solar power plants can be installed at any height, even ground level. However, the height must be under the limit decided by the Airport Authority of India and cleared by the Delhi Fire Service.

Residential consumers without the financial capital to install rooftop solar plants can also avail the option of entering into a lease agreement with a third party. These third-party developers will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of the solar power system and selling the generated power back to the consumer at a fixed rate.

Though NDMC’s solar policy 2022 encourages grid-connected installations, the civic body has stated that all such systems will have to comply with grid standards and other applicable regulations. These guidelines which will get amended from time to time.

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Resource: Live Mint