100% solarisation of Konark town and Sun Temple gets Presidential nod

• The government plans to solarise Odisha's infamous Konark Sun temple and the Konark town 100 percent through the installation of grid-connected and off-grid solar projects

• The scheme proposes 100 percent Central Financial Assistance of around Rs 25 crore

New Delhi: The Central government's ambitious plan for 100 percent solarisation of Konark Temple and the town has received a sanction from President Ram Nath Kovind, the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) said on Tuesday. The government plans to solarise Odisha's infamous Konark Sun temple and the Konark town 100 percent through the installation of grid-connected and off-grid solar projects so that electricity needs of all the households of Konark city and Konark temple are fully fulfilled with solar energy.

100 percent solarisation of Konark: Centre to pitch in with Rs 25 crore

The 100 percent solarisation scheme envisages meeting all the power requirements of the Konark Sun Temple and Konark town by setting up a 10 MW grid-connected solar project and various off-grid solar applications. "Konark has been selected due to the location of the ancient Sun Temple there and the associated historical and cultural association with Sun. The context makes it an ideal location for a demonstration programme for a town running completely through solar energy," the MNRE said in a notification. 

The scheme proposes 100 percent CFA (Central Financial Assistance) of around Rs 25 crore. The scheme will be valid up to March 2021, it added.

Scheme to be implemented by OREDA

The scheme is slated to be implemented by the state's renewable energy authority OREDA (Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency), which would be responsible for the selection of project developers through a competitive bidding process and monitoring the implementation of the project. It will issue two tenders for the selection of project developers for implementing the 10 MW grid-connected solar project and various off-grid applications.

Tariff will be fixed at Rs 2.77/unit

The grid-connected 10 MW project will be established in developer mode with VGF (Viability Gap Funding) to bring the tariff at present APPC rate. This rate will be applicable for the entire life of the project. The developer will be selected through a transparent bidding process on VGF required by the bidders to enable them to supply solar power to GRIDCO at a fixed tariff for 25 years. The tariff may be fixed at present APPC rate of Odisha ie. Rs 2.77 /unit. The successful project developer will sign the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with GRIDCO for 25 years.