Minister for Science & Technology Department Sajad Gani Lone said that government’s endeavour is to harness the potential of science and technology as an instrument of socio-economic change and to shift dependence for “our energy needs to renewable energy sources.” He said efforts were on to make renewable energy accessible for all.
The department aims to, through its endeavours increase reach, use of renewable means by making it accessible, efficient so as to integrate its use in every household. For this, the department is working on multiple fronts viz. providing subsidized products consuming renewable energy including solar cooker, stoves, lamps, geysers and promotion of these gadgets by way of creating awareness among people.
Winding up the discussion in the Legislative Assembly on Demand for Grants of the departments under his charge, the Minister said that Science and Technology department has two important verticals, the Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) and Science & Technology Innovation Council (ST&IC) having separate mandates.
Listing major achievements in JAKEDA, the Minister informed the House that earlier the agency was mandated to execute hydel projects upto 2 MW only but with the government intervention, it is now enhanced from 2 MW to 10 MW for implementation in EPC & IPP mode.
The Minister further informed the House that department is in the process of creating Renewable Energy Corporation.
Elaborating on the development of Solar Sector in the State, the Minister informed that JAKEDA has been allocated a collective target of 1150 MW of Solar Power by the MNRE, to be achieved by the end of year 2022.
The Minister informed that JAKEDA has provided approximately 44000 nos. of Solar Home Systems under decentralized off-grid solar application programme of the MNRE to remote un-electrified 41 villages and 263 hamlets of the State and about 3000 Solar street Lights during the last two years. It is also promoting use of solar water heating systems and solar cookers and providing them on subsidized rates.
While informing the House about the achievements in Science Technology & Innovation Council (ST&IC), the Minister said that Rs 84.62 crore has been approved by the Ministry of S&T, GoI for establishment of 2 Industrial Biotechnology Parks to be established one each in Kashmir and Jammu.
Later, the House passed the grants of Science and Technology Departments, for the year 2018-19, amounting to Rs 73980.83 lakh which were moved by the Minister.