Karnataka to allot 300 MW solar projects to farmers, job seekers

Karnataka plans to allocate 300 MW each of solar energy projects to farmers and unemployed youth.

“The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has allotted 600 MW of solar energy projects to Karnataka. Of which we plan to offer farmers having the required quantum of land in their names are eligible to apply for setting up grid-connected solar power plants with a capacity ranging from 0.5 MW to 5 MW. The balance 300 MW, ministry is working out a mechanism to rope in unemployed youth,” said Karnataka Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. On its own, the state has already allotted solar energy projects to the tune of 300 MW to farmers; he noted and said the Centre had recommended the Karnataka model to other states.

Under this project, farmers and unemployed youth would get a Central subsidy of ₹50 lakh per MW under the Central solar projects, farmers and unemployed youth are eligible to get subsidy. “Also, they have the freedom to offer 49 per cent stake in their projects to other investors,” the minister said.

Talking about the power situation in the state, Shivakumar, claimed that the State was comfortable in power supply situation and termed the interruptions in power supply as ‘shut down’ due to maintenance works. When asked for a comparison of total number of interruptions in power supply between the present and past year, he said he did not have the ready information.

Deficit monsoon With the Centre sounding the warning bells on a deficient monsoon this year, the State is putting in place measures to purchase power to meet any deficit. The energy minister said he has already instructed officials concerned to procure additional short-term power to the tune of 500 MW to 1,000 MW. The energy minister said tenders would be floated to procure the power on short-term basis.

Staff shortage In a bid to ease shortage of ground-level staff in the power sector, state is set opt for a mega recruitment drive in which 14,948 assistant linemen will be recruited in three-different phases.

Shivakumar said in the first phase, 8,080 assistant linemen would be recruited by August. They would be selected on the basis of their SSLC marks while physical fitness tests including the ability to climb 8-meter-tall pole too matters.

Of the total sanctioned posts of 27,000 linemen, 14,752 were vacant, he pointed out. Similarly 417 assistant engineers, 480 junior engineers and 15 accounts officers would also be recruited, he said.

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