New Delhi,November 18, 2020.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power and Department of New & Renewable Energy (DNRE), Goa, have signed a memorandum of understanding today to discuss rolling out of India’s first Convergence Project in the State. The MoU was signed in the august presence of Shri R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister, Goa, Shri Sanjiv Nandan Sahai , Secretary, Ministry of Power and other senior officers of the ministry.

Under the MoU, EESL and DNRE will carry-out the feasibility studies and subsequent implementation of decentralized solar energy projects. EESL shall implement the solar energy projects, establishment of 100 MW of decentralized ground mounted Solar Power projects on government lands to be used for agricultural pumping, replace approximately 6,300 agricultural pumps with BEE star rated energy efficient pumps and distribute approximately 16 Lakh LED bulbs for rural domestic households.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri R K Singh, Minister (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy said, that the MOU signed between EESL and Government of Goa today in some sense marks beginning of fresh green revolution. When we started the PM- KUSUM, this is what was in our mind to restart fresh green revolution in agriculture sector. He said, “This model is expected to be adopted by other states as this will reduces losses in terms of expenditure on water for farm sector runs into tens of thousands crore rupees in several States. That preempts state spending on health, education, and other important sectors.” Shri Singh also said he has asked his Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to look out for incentivising saving on enegry and ground water by farmers. Shri Singh expected faster roll out of this model as also utilising opportunities under PM-KUSUM by the States. Together with new Roof Top Solar Scheme this will prove to be win win for farmers and States and help them turn into green States. He asked Goa to take lead in this regard with all possible support by the Centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister, Goa, said “Goa is the first state to adopt Convergence. The project will accrue savings of INR 2,574 crores to the State over the period of 25 years, while improving the health of DISCOMs and providing cleaner power. This project will provide clean day time electricity to farmers as well as energy efficient pump sets which would reduce the power consumption as well as T&D losses associated with transmitting power to agriculture and rural feeder networks.”

The projects will accelerate the usage of renewable energy sources, especially for agricultural and rural power consumption in the State. The projects will also contribute in reduction of peak energy demand through deployment of energy efficient pumping and lighting thus contributing to overall sustainability. In Goa, with the objective of providing clean power at affordable rates, EESL will install solar projects in a first of its kind large scale programme where vacant/unused land provided by the Gram Panchayats/electricity board will be utilized. The solar power plant will be installed near the substation, with capacities ranging from 500KW to 2 MW, depending on the size of the land, this will enable DISCOMs to supply power during the day time and reduce transmission losses.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary, Ministry of Power, said “We believe that in a solar power rich country like India, effective harnessing of this abundant resource can yield handsome returns for all stakeholders. EESL has been one of the pioneers in the implementation of decentralised solar in India and with this project the country will unlock multiple benefits of solar energy, battery storage and carbon financing.”

Through its convergence initiative, EESL seeks to connect seemingly independent sectors like Solar Energy, Energy Storage and LED lights to provide solutions, which can enable in decarbonisation and affordable energy access. Under this programme, EESL is offering convergent interventions, which solve multiple gap areas in the energy ecosystem. It is currently providing solutions such as solarised agriculture feeders, LED street lights in local villages and battery energy storage system. EESL is also leveraging the carbon financing mechanism to rapidly strengthen rural infrastructure in a clean and sustainable manner, to create a resilient and sustainable rural community in India. Its climate financing interventions currently include Gram UJALA, Decentralised Solar and Gram Panchayat Street Lights programmes