Kochi/Lakshadweep, May 31 (UNI) In an effort to reduce dependency on diesel and mitigate its environmental impact, the Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTLA) is transitioning to green and clean energy solutions, Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel said.

Informing that the UTLA has signed an MoU with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) Ltd to establish renewable energy plants in Lakshadweep, Praful Patel told UNI that the SECI has already commissioned solar plants with capacities of 0.3 MW at Agatti and 1.4 MW at Kavaratti.

Further, the UTLA provides an additional subsidy of up to Rs 45,000 per kW for up to 2 kW, and up to Rs 27,000 for an additional 1 kW of RTS plant, in addition to the central subsidy, to promote rooftop solar installations in the residential buildings. Praful Patel said.

The UTLA has identified 1,637 feasible households, of which 202 residential houses have already installed rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 616 KW.

The administration has also partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Limited to establish bulk storage and retail POL outlets in all islands within a specified timeline.

Currently, Kavaratti and Minicoy have both the bulk storage yards and the POL outlets. Besides, POL outlets are also operating in Androth and Kalpeni.

Work is also under progress for bulk storage in Androth. Further, dealers have been finalised for POL outlets in Agatti and Amini, and government land has been allotted at Kadmat, Kiltan and Chetlat, Praful Patel said.

The vessels Thilakkam, Kodithala, Elikalpeni and Ganga of UT Administration have been taken over by IOCL on time charter for transportation of POL and LPG cylinders to different islands.

UNI DS ARN