NEW DELHI, Dec 20: The business owners in the UT of Ladakh while welcoming the proposed solar scheme being designed by the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) exclusively for commercial users, has asked for review of an important provision in the proposed scheme related to annual zero metering, which they feel if amended will encourage more commercial enterprises to switch over to renewable and sustainable energy in coming years.
The LPDD has framed a unique solar energy scheme targeted to lure consumers registered under the commercial tariff category with the department. Such consumers will be eligible to apply for the scheme for both roof top and ground-mounted solar panels for installation capacity ranging from 1 KW to 40 KW.
The scheme also promises lucrative subsidy offers starting with Rs 15,000 per KW or one-third of the project cost whichever is lower with a maximum cap of Rs 6 lakh per consumer.
As per the LPPD estimates, there are over 10,800 commercial consumers with a combined sanctioned load of 29.5 MW in the UT.
Commercial establishments like hotels and other accommodation units in the UT, who have been paying commercial tariff despite tourism being declared as an industry in the UT, are the first to welcome the solar scheme proposals by the LPDD.
“With the proposed solar scheme, we can set up solar units and get connected to the grid and get an offset. It’s a great initiative and one of its kind in the country,” said Rigzin W Lachic, president of All Ladakh Hotel & Guest House Association (ALHAGHA).
While appreciating the UT administration and LPDD for the scheme, she felt that the clause that net metering energy accounting at the end of the financial year and resetting the meter to zero on March 31st should be reviewed.
As the energy consumption during the winter is quite low as it’s an off-season for tourism and allied businesses, she said that the surplus energy credited at the end of the financial year should be allowed to be carried forward for at least three years. “This will encourage more people to participate in the scheme,” she stated.
The association also asked the administration to strengthen the grid capacity and establish grid connectivity in places like Nubra, Zanskar, Changthang, etc. which are still devoid of grid connectivity.
“We are quite confident that a lot of businesses will go green by next season if these problems are sorted out,” she said.
Although the draft proposal is ready, the UT administration is yet to notify the scheme.
(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
