NT NETWORK
SALIGAO
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has voiced concern over wastage of biogas generated at the Saligao garbage treatment plant due to delay on part of the Goa Energy Development Agency to sign an agreement with the management of the plant. The biogas can be used to generate green power by diverting it to the state power grid and can come in handy for the coastal belt.
The biogas is being wasted apparently due to delay in the documentation to approve the export of surplus power to the state electricity department. Parrikar, who visited the plant on Monday, was briefed by the management of the plant in the presence of Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, Housing Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar, Nilesh Cabral MLA and TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai who had visited the plant on the day they were allotted portfolios.
Parrikar informed that due to the failure on the part of the electricity board to agree to the terms and conditions, the state is losing out on green power that can be generated from the biogas. He instructed the GSIDC officials who were also present at the site to look into the matter and expedite it as “we are losing 4 mega watts of green power which could be used by people along the beach belt facing electricity problem.”
Director of the garbage plant Sanket said that the plant has started to produce its own electricity which is being utilised by the plant during the night when it is shut down due to maintenance work. He said that additional biogas is being wasted and could be used to produce renewable power as electricity.
However, he said that the power supply to the plant has not been snapped as it cannot take a risk as in case of emergency, the renewable power fluctuates and electricity is needed to run the heavy machinery but the additional electricity can be diverted to the state power grid for which it needs to be synchronised. Sanket said that 350 kw of green power is produced in the morning adding, “We are negotiating with the electricity board regarding the rates and other technical sanctions are needed to divert additional power to the state power grid. It will be done next month.”
