Recently, the state unveiled its Tripura Energy Vision of generating 500 MW of solar power by 2030
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 81 crore to Tripura for setting up 274 solar microgrids in remote areas of the northeastern state to light up over 9,000 houses, an official said.
Under the project of the Ministry of Development of Northeast Region (DoNER), the microgrids will be established in hamlets in Dhalai, Unakoti, and South, West, and North Tripura districts, where "conventional electricity appears non-profitable" to the state power utility because of low population density, he said.
"The DoNER has sanctioned Rs 81 crore to Tripura for setting up 274 solar microgrids in remote areas, particularly tribal hamlets, where conventional electricity has not reached the people yet. A total of 9,250 families will benefit from the project," an official of the Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) said.
The northeastern state still has several tribal and non-tribal habitations where electricity has not yet been reached due to geographical isolation and low population density, he said, adding that the project will light up the houses by using solar power.
"Each solar microgrid will have an installed capacity ranging from 2 KW to 25 KW, depending on the population of a particular habitation. Although the tariff has not been finalised yet, the beneficiary needs to pay a small amount for power consumption," he said, adding the work is expected to commence in the current fiscal.
According to TREDA estimation, the northeastern state has a solar power potential of 2,000 MW, of which only 19.50 MW is being generated at present.
Recently, the state unveiled its Tripura Energy Vision of generating 500 MW of solar power by 2030.