Newmai News Network Imphal |May 28 Manipur Deputy Chief Minister, Yumnam Joykumar Singh said that renewable sources of energy should be opted as an alternative to meet energy requirements in the State. Joylumar said this at the inaugural function of grid connected roof top solar power plant with generation capacity of five kilowatts, at the Community Hall of Uripok Ahanthem Leikai Development Organisation in Imphal today. The Deputy Chief Minister said that non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels would be exhausted after some decades but renewable sources like solar energy will last long for decades. He also said that, with the increasing population, energy consumption level has also been increasing day by day. To meet such energy requirements, solar energy which can be generated using abundantly available sun light should be encouraged. Joykumar Singh further said that street lighting or domestic uses of power can easily be generated if roof top solar panels are installed, he added. Besides this, excess energy generated from the plant can also be sold to power grid thereby generating revenue as well, he further said. Stating that the project which is jointly taken up by MANIREDA and MSPDCL will definitely help in providing energy requirements in the state, the Deputy Chief Minister said that almost all areas under Uripok Assembly Constituency will be covered under the project and street lighting in the areas will be completed within June this year. He also said that once street lighting is completed, it will be helpful in controlling crime and related activities. He appealed people to co-operate with this initiative to encourage solar energy generation in the state. Director, MANIREDA, L. Manglem Singh also spoke on the importance of solar energy in helping to provide energy requirements in the state. He said that under the project 70 per cent of the total cost for installation will be borne by MANIREDA. Only the remaining 30 per cent will be borne by the individual or the company or firm who have applied for the work. He then urged people to co-operate with MANIREDA and also asked them to apply through website for installation of solar power plants. Earlier today, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated a grid connected roof top solar power plant of five kilo watts at Satjal Academy near Uripok Cheirap Court in Imphal.
