The Delhi government has announced a five-fold increase in incentives for residential solar power installations.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for a 500 KV Solar Energy Plant at the Delhi Legislative Assembly, stated that residents can now receive up to ₹78,000 for installing solar units generating up to 3 kilowatts (KW). This substantial enhancement of financial support aims to catalyse a solar revolution within the city, empowering homeowners to become active participants in green energy generation. Highlighting the government’s commitment to leveraging renewable energy sources, CM Gupta emphasised the strategic intent to utilise every public building within Delhi for green energy generation. This proactive approach not only reduces the city’s reliance on conventional power sources but also sets a visible example for residents and businesses to embrace sustainable energy practices. The Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Surya Ghar Yojana’ for making residential solar power generation significantly more financially attractive, indicating a collaborative effort between the central and state governments in promoting clean energy adoption.
Acknowledging Delhi’s peak power demand hovering around 8,000 MW, CM Gupta urged citizens to actively participate in the solar revolution, framing it as a collective effort towards realising the vision of ‘Viksit Delhi, Viksit Bharat’ (Developed Delhi, Developed India). The enhanced incentives for residential complexes to adopt solar energy are a key component of this strategy, directly engaging homeowners in the city’s green energy transition. This bottom-up approach, empowering individual households to contribute to the larger sustainability goals, is crucial for fostering a sense of ownership and collective responsibility towards environmental stewardship. Beyond solar energy initiatives, the Delhi government is also addressing other critical aspects of urban sustainability. CM Gupta announced the sanctioning of ₹100 crore to remove overhead high-tension wires across the city, an initiative that will not only improve the aesthetic appeal of the urban landscape but also enhance safety and reduce potential hazards associated with outdated infrastructure. Furthermore, recognising the significant contribution of vehicular emissions to air pollution, the Chief Minister outlined plans for a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy. This policy will aim to incentivise private vehicle owners to transition to pollution-free electric vehicles, further contributing to cleaner air and a healthier urban environment.
The recent introduction of a new fleet of green mid-sized Delhi Electric Vehicle Interconnector (DEVI) buses was highlighted as a major stride towards revolutionising the national Capital’s public transport sector. These electric buses are designed to counter pollution and provide crucial last-mile connectivity for users of the Metro, promoting a more integrated and sustainable public transportation ecosystem. The government has ambitious plans to launch a total of 2,080 electric buses this year, significantly bolstering the city’s green public transport fleet. To support this large-scale transition to electric mobility, CM Gupta announced a substantial allocation of ₹9,000 crore in the budget for accelerating the adoption of EVs. This includes a commitment to boost the charging infrastructure across the city and arrange necessary facilities at bus depots, addressing key concerns related to the practicality and convenience of EV ownership and operation.
In a parallel effort towards sustainability within governance, the Chief Minister complimented Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta for the steps taken to make the legislative business paperless. This initiative not only promotes efficiency but also contributes to environmental conservation by reducing paper consumption. The new 500 KV solar power unit at the Delhi Legislative Assembly is projected to result in zero electricity bills for the assembly, generating estimated savings of approximately ₹15 lakh per month. This landmark achievement is expected to make the Delhi Legislative Assembly the country’s first fully solar-powered legislature, serving as a powerful symbol of the government’s commitment to leading by example in the adoption of clean energy. This initiative underscores the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to renewable energy sources, showcasing a tangible pathway towards a more sustainable and cost-effective future for public institutions and the city as a whole.
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