Goa Energy Minister Sudin Dhavalikar said that the mining pits would be used to generate hydroelectric power for power and to generate solar power. Dhavalikar, during an event in South Goa, emphasized that renewable energy is essential to tackle the power shortage. Dhavalikar said the abandoned mining pits would be used to generate hydropower and also to generate solar power. Mining pits 120 meters deep and filled with water will be used to develop hydroelectric power with this new technology. The water from these pits can be recycled and hydroelectricity can be generated.
He also said that in about 50,000 square meters of the mining area, where flat land is available, solar power can be generated. According to sources in the power department, there are many such abandoned mining pits, that are being identified. These projects received approval from Union Minister RK Singh during the two-day conference on Power and Renewable Energy held in Udaipur, Rajasthan recently.
He said it has been approved. An IIT team will visit Goa. We will need six months to do that. It will be implemented after six months. Solar power can also be generated on hills. He said, everyone, will benefit from the solar policy. Large industries are also adopting solar energy. Dhavalikar said that in the last six months, his department has made progress not only in terms of increasing revenue but also in other areas. We have increased the revenue by 40 percent in the electricity department, he said, adding that the central government has extended a helping hand.
