Chandigarh: The Punjab govt on Saturday gave a call to investors to tap renewable energy potential in the state, as it has enormous opportunities to grow in this area, with a capacity to cater to 20% of the country’s energy demand.The session dedicated to ‘Renewable Energy’ carried out deliberations on new and renewable energy sources at the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit. Addressing the session, power secretary Basant Garg informed that the state govt initiated the tender process to install 3000 MW solar energy projects. He added that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited is actively considering serving as a bridge between farmers and investors, while the govt is providing land as well as grid connectivity to facilitate the investors. He further mentioned that it also began work in the field of battery energy storage. Speaking at the session, Verbio’s General Manager Ashish Kumar highlighted that Punjab produces approximately 20 million tonnes of paddy stubble annually, which has the potential to meet 20% of the country’s energy demand. He emphasised that farmers need to understand that, by burning stubble, they are not just setting fire to crop residue but burning their own money. Referring to the recent geopolitical situation involving attacks on Iran by the US and Israel, which caused an LPG gas shortage, he noted a sharp increase in demand for compressed biogas supply and stressed the need to develop bio-gas grid connectivity. Bashir Ahmad Shiraz from Reliance Industries said that if farmers recognise the potential of bio-energy, their lands could turn into gold mines. He called for building not only infrastructure but also a supportive ecosystem for new and renewable energy.
