GANDHINAGAR: The Gujarat government on Tuesday announced introduction of Gujarat Solar Power Policy, 2021. CM Vijay Rupani, while announcing the new policy said, that it will reduce dependence on coal-based generation of power and enable industries and particularly, the MSME sector to be globally competitive.
The CM said, “The state government had implemented solar policy in 2015 to give an impetus to solar energy sector and provide affordable electricity to people. Considering the overwhelming response to this policy, the state government will now implement the new “Gujarat Solar Power Policy 2021” to ensure clean, environmentally friendly and sustainable energy in the state.”
He added that Gujarat has taken various proactive measures and made rapid strides to promote renewable energy, which has resulted in overall growth of renewable energy sector and made Gujarat a leader in the country. Increase in consumption and production of solar energy in the state will bring down production cost for industries and accelerate the ‘Made in Gujarat’ brand, thus increasing its presence in global market, Rupani said.
Giving details about the policy, the CM added that increased solar energy generation will reduce dependence on conventional power resources like coal-based plants and in turn promote environment friendly – green & clean energy generation. “MSMEs will be able to reduce their cost of production due to solar energy usage and large-scale industries too will be able to compete in the global market,” he said. The new solar power policy will be operative for five years, i.e. up to December 31, 2025 and benefits of solar projects set up under this policy can be availed for a project life of 25 years.
Energy minister Saurabh Patel said the new policy will boost development of pollution-free renewable energy and help accelerate the sector. He added that this policy will take Gujarat forward in becoming the ‘Energy Hub’ of the country. “This policy will enable everyone, be it residential consumers, farmers, commercial consumers, small and medium industrial houses, religious & educational institutes, to generate electricity and sell it after their own consumption,” the minister said.