Tripura to Set Up Solar Microgrids in 23 Villages

Jishnu Dev Varma, Tripura’s deputy chief minister, said the state government intends to build solar microgrids in 23 rural areas where conventional power cannot be given.

Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) would install systems in these villages. TREDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of renewable energy

As per reports, a 2 kW solar microgrid was also inaugurated at Sarkipara in Nunacherra autonomous district council village in Khowai district.

The system will provide electricity to 14 families as the villagers here have been demanding electricity for a long time; however, setting up a power line to such a location for less than 100 people was not feasible.

The deputy chief minister said that around 12,000 solar lights were already distributed in several remote areas across Tripura, and plans to distribute another 15,000 solar lights were also in the pipeline.

To overcome power deficit in the region, the cabinet committee on economic affairs approved a revised cost estimate for the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project, which has a cost estimate of 67 billion dollars ($910 million). The implementation is expected to build a dependable power grid, strengthen the region’s linkage to upcoming load centers, and provide grid-connected power to all consumers and beneficiaries.

Due to challenges in implementing large-scale solar projects, the state has been focusing on small and decentralized solar in the region.

Under Phase-II of the rooftop solar program, TSECL recently requested bids from developers to design, supply, install, and commission 1 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems on residential buildings across the state.