(India) Centre chalks out plan to develop 60 ‘solar cities’

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http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052351421000.htm

Centre chalks out plan to develop 60 ‘solar cities’

Aims to promote renewable energy in urban areas

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Anil Sasi

New Delhi, May 22 With the power shortage situation worsening, especially across most urban and industrial centres, the Centre has come up with a plan to develop 60 cities as “Solar Cities”. The proposal envisages a minimum 10 per cent reduction in projected total demand of conventional energy at the end of five years in each of these cities through energy-efficiency measures and generation from renewable-energy installations.

Drawing on similar moves being implemented in London, Tokyo, New York and Adelaide, the Government’s proposal aims at thrashing out a framework to assist the cities in assessing their present energy consumption status, setting clear targets for and preparing action plans for generating energy through renewable energy sources and in conserving energy utilised in conducting urban services.

Besides, the possibility of carbon financing would also be looked at.

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“The local governments and the electricity utilities are finding it difficult to cope with this rapid rise in demand and as a result most of the cities are facing severe shortages. The goal of the programme is to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas by providing support to the Municipal Corporations for preparation and implementation of a clear road map. States have been asked to forward the names of cities that they want to be taken up under the programme,” a Government official involved in the exercise said.

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