The Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest) had planned to set up 15 MW solar plant at Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) water works in Sector 39.
But the MC has now decided to upgrade water storage capacity in Sector 39 water works, which is presently 45 million gallons per day (MGD). The civic body has decided to spend Rs 38 crore to upgrade underground water storage capacity from 45 MGD to 90 MGD.
Due to upgradation work the design of water reservoirs will be changed in water works. The solar plant can only be set up after the completion of upgradation work by the MC. The upgradation work will be completed between 12 to 18 months.
The city’s biggest ever solar plant will be put on back burner for now. The plant is suppose to be built at a cost of Rs 80-90 crore. The UT administration will not be providing any financial assistance for the same.. The private company of the developer selected for the project will work on it and sell electricity to the MC for 25 years and in due course earn profits.
Reference- Economic Times