The District Water Management Agency (DWMA) is contemplating linking Indira Jala Prabha with solar power shortly. The Agency has chalked out plans to provide solar power to two blocks in Nuzvid under Indira Jala Prabha in view of high energisation costs. The Agency has sent proposals to the Government to launch the project.
The DWMA authorities have been toying with the idea since cost of providing conventional energy was exceeding Rs.3lakh in some of the agricultural lands developed under the Indira Jala Prabha. This cost includes bore well, erection of poles, transmission lines etc.
Project Director of DWMA V. Hanuma Naik says a 5 HP pumpset will require 5kv solar power set.
The solar power was best available option. The fallow, uncultivable and barren lands were being provided irrigation facilities under the Inidra Jala Prabha scheme. Many SC, ST families would benefit out of it if the proposals materialised, he says.
The State Government has sanctioned permission to the DWMA to develop 11,000 acres in the district. As many as 93 blocks will be developed under the Jala Prabha scheme.
Each block consists of 5 to 10 acres. On an average, each block contains 8 acres. And the government is spending about Rs.2 lakh to develop each block. Of this, many blocks were provided conventional energy.
The DWMA officials observed that the conventional energy costs high in few blocks including those situated in Nuzvid.
Turned down
The DWMA, earlier, sent similar proposals for three blocks that were surrounded by mango orchards.
The proposals were turned down saying tapping of solar power in that area was not possible in view of green cover and hills.
To tap the solar power, open areas are preferred, officials explain.
