Government Unveils Solar Power Scheme to Electrify 100,000 Tribal Households
The MNRE has launched a revised New Solar Power Scheme to electrify 100,000 households in tribal areas and PVTG habitations, with a INR 915 crore budget. This initiative promotes off-grid solar solutions, enhancing energy access and quality of life for tribal communities.
October 21, 2024. By EI News Network
With the total financial outlay of INR 915 crore, this initiative aims to electrify 100,000 un-electrified households in tribal areas identified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) through off-grid solar systems. The scheme also includes the installation of off-grid solar lighting in 1,500 Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs) located in PVTG areas and the solarisation of 2,000 public institutions. Off-grid solar systems will be deployed in regions where grid electricity supply is not techno-economically feasible. The scheme will be funded from the DAPST allocation of the MNRE.
Key financial components of the scheme involve INR 50,000 per household for the installation of 0.3 kW solar off-grid systems, INR 1 lakh per MPC for solar street lighting, and INR 1 lakh per kilowatt for the solarization of public institutions. For fiscal allocations, INR 20 crore is designated for FY24 and INR 255 crore for FY25 for households and MPCs, along with an allocation of INR 50 crore for public institutions in FY24.
The implementation of the scheme will begin following the issuance of Administrative Approval and Implementation Guidelines. Existing sanctions and approvals from previous solar power schemes for PVTG habitations will also be honored. This strategic initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing energy access and promoting renewable energy in underserved tribal regions across India.
Additionally, the Union Cabinet has approved two major initiatives to improve the living conditions of tribal communities in India. The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN), approved on November 28, 2023, has an outlay of INR 24,104 crores, focusing on electrifying one lakh un-electrified households in PVTG areas across 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Key components include solar off-grid systems for households and solar lighting for Multi-Purpose Centres. The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA), approved on September 18, 2024, with an outlay of INR 79,156 crores, aims to improve socio-economic conditions in tribal-majority villages, benefiting over 5 crore people through off-grid solar solutions for households and public institutions. These initiatives are set to ensure reliable access to solar power for tribal communities, significantly enhancing their quality of life. The implementation guidelines for the off-grid solar systems establish a structured approach to funding, installation, and maintenance.
After receiving a Letter of Award (LoA), implementing agencies can access 70 percent of the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) upfront, with the remaining 30 percent released post-installation upon submission of necessary documentation. Agencies must complete off-grid Solar Home Lighting Systems within three months and solar power packs or mini-grids within nine months, with potential extensions based on justification. Regular inspections and monitoring by the implementing agencies, along with oversight from the MNRE and MoTA, ensure accountability.
Vendors are required to provide five years of maintenance services, establish service centers in each district, and address complaints via a local helpline. The technical specifications must comply with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and MNRE requirements, with CFA support capped at INR 50,000 per household for both off-grid SHLS and solar mini-grids. These guidelines aim to enhance energy access in PVTG areas, ensuring reliable and sustainable electrification for tribal communities in India.
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