All 33 District Headquarters in Rajasthan to be Developed as Green Energy Cities: BD Kalla

Rajasthan is planning to develop all 33 district headquarters and some other select cities as ‘Green Energy Cities’, and has set a target of 30,000 MW of renewable energy generation capacity by 2024-25, said BD Kalla, Rajasthan’s Minister for Energy.

The state is looking to lead the charge as India steps forward to achieve its ambitious target of installing 450 GW of renewable energy, he added.

The minister was speaking at a webinar organized by ReNew foundation, an arm of ReNew Power, to discuss opportunities on the future of Rajasthan’s renewable energy sector.

Further in his address, the minister spoke of how Rajasthan is looking to promote manufacturing in the state by offering land allotment at 50 per cent concessional rate, exemption of electricity duty for 10 years, complete exemption of stamp duty, and categorization of manufacturing equipment as a thrust sector, ensuring easy availability of credit, besides single window clearance to all entities.

During the event other dignitaries who shared their views include - Babul Supriyo, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, BD Kalla, Rajasthan’s Energy Minister along with Vishal Mehta, MD & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, India, MM Ranwa, CEO of Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (RUVNL) and Sanjay Varghese, President and Head of Solar Business at ReNew Power.

Welcoming guests, Sumant Sinha, Chairman and Managing Director of ReNew Power stressed on the need for co-operation between the Center and the State and its importance to India’s ambition of achieving 450 GW of installed renewable energy capacity.

In his keynote address, Babul Supriyo, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change praised the initiatives taken by states and said that, “Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has been a champion of renewable energy sector and his initiatives such as ISA and ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ have made the world sit up and take note of our ambition.”

While delivering vote of thanks to the panellists Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Chair, ReNew Foundation, said that, “ReNew and all the stakeholders involved with the sector are looking forward to leaders at the central as well as the state level coming together to make an impact for the future generation.”

She highlighted the work carried out by ReNew Foundation in the state and ReNew’s ambition to contribute to an all-round development of communities and environment.

The webinar concluded with a panel discussion between Vishal Mehta, MD & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, India, M M Ranwa, CEO of Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (RUVNL) and Sanjay Varghese, President and Head of Solar Business at ReNew Power who spoke about various opportunities and challenges for the sector in Rajasthan. While Mehta said that the state should plan now for models that could emerge in post ISTS regime and mitigate risks.