Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for coordinated efforts to tap the potential of non-conventional sources of energy in the State.
The obstacles associated in developing hydel and other conventional energy projects necessitated the tapping of other avenues to meet the increasing power needs, he added.
He was speaking while inaugurating the presentation ceremony of the Kerala State Renewable Energy (Akshaya Oorja) Awards 2018, instituted by the Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), here on Monday.
Mr. Vijayan said the State had relied heavily on hydel and thermal power plants. However, with the imminent increase in coal prices, coupled with the difficulties in establishing hydel power projects, the State must ideally aim to exploit the benefits of solar energy. The ANERT should take the lead in the endeavour, he said.
He gave away awards to the best-performing institutions and individuals in the field of generating electricity from renewable energy sources.
Awards were presented to Wilton Weavers Pvt Ltd. (industrial establishment category), College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, and St. Joseph’s College of Engineering, Pala (educational institutions), Technopark (public institution), Integrated Rural Technology Centre (non-profit organisation), Kanakkary and Thuravoor grama panchayats (local self-government institutions), Solgen Energy Pvt. Ltd. (commercial establishment), and Kumaravel S. of National Institute of Technology, Calicut (individual category).
Various institutions and companies were also selected for commendation in each category.
Elaborating on various solar power projects under way, ANERT director Amit Meena said that the agency had embarked on a project to facilitate the mechanisation of traditional industries.
The agency had established a solar power plant to power electronic coir raths established by two coir societies in Vaikom.
The solar mechanisation scheme was being extended to all coir societies, he said.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran presided over the function. V.K. Prasanth, MLA, Power Department secretary B. Ashok, KSEB chairman and managing director N.S. Pillai, Chief Electrical Inspector V.C. Anilkumar, and Energy Management Centre director K.M. Dharesan Unnithan also spoke on the occasion.
On Amit Meena
Referring to the posting of Amit Meena as ANERT director, Mr. Vijayan said that the bureaucrat, who had shown his prowess as a district collector, was brought to the helm of the agency that was in dire need of revitalisation.
“However, he felt he was sidelined. Under the circumstances, I doubt if we have been able to utilise his potential for the benefit of the establishment. We expect him to spearhead the progress of ANERT. He is also free to approach us with any reservations that might hinder his efforts,” Mr. Vijayan said.
