Engineers’ forum of Assam insists on popularizing household solar projects

 GUWAHATI: Expressing concern over the erratic supply of electricity across Assam for many days because of power deficiency, a forum of graduate engineers urged the government to encourage more people to nurture solar power consumption initiatives for their daily needs. In a media statement, the All Assam Engineers' Association (AAEA) also urged the state power generation and distribution companies to make the procedures for installing household solar power units simple and viable for consumers.

The situation turned worse as the heat wave continued until the middle of September this year in Assam. The public's anger is reflected on social media, and many people have hit the streets demanding a regular power supply. Facing the public uproar, state chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma came out with the statement that because of an abrupt increase in peak demand (5 to 10 p.m.), the situation has worsened. Sarma admitted that Assam witnessed an increase in its power requirement from 1,800 megawatts (MW) to 2,500 MW this year.

But the state generates and purchases a limited volume of energy (around 1650 MW), and thus it is compelled to buy electricity (around 700 MW) from the open source to meet the consumers' demand in peak hours. He also cautioned that the authority has to restrict peak demand within 2000 MW with the help of load shedding for a few minutes. If the power supply has to be maintained 24 hours a day, Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (APDCL) will have to hike the tariff immediately.

"While the government has to make a long-term strategy to fulfil the enhanced demand for power in the state, solar power should be made a priority. To encourage every household to install tiny solar plants on their roofs (or other open places), the concerned authorities should popularise the provisions, said AAEA president Er Kailash Sarma, working president Er NJ Thakuria, and secretary Er Inamul Hye. They also urged State Power Minister Nandita Gorlosa to look into the matter seriously so that more families can afford the system and enjoy solar power benefits flawlessly. India has witnessed an increase in per capita electricity consumption in recent years, and to keep up the momentum in the days to come, the AAEA appealed to the government to simplify the guidelines for installing household solar units and give consumers the liberty to use the supplied electricity (as and when needed) with no monthly rental charge, stated a press release.

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