Power(ful ) Initiatives?

      Punjab, most prosperous northern state of India in the past, unable to carry on the pace of developments and loose crown of prosperous northern state of country, reason other states starts giving much better basic facilities at discounted cost to every sections of society which certainly attracts investor community to invest money, and investment in projects, existing and fresh ,by investment community is one of the sign without any controversy of prosperity and also prove, access to basic infrastructure, at ground level. Without any confusion, round the clock supply of power is the top most ingredients in today’s time, for money to pour in the state/country, courtesy investor community, both indigenous and international. Claims by Punjab state government that in coming years they will make state, surplus of power but it is not visible on ground because from last two years state was under power cuts, four to five hours, even in the winter season when demand of power dips to its lowest level ,which contradict governments claims in wrong directions.
     On, 3rd April, 2010, Punjab state Chief Minister Mr. Prakash Singh Badal at his residence had meeting with the joint delegation of SunPower Corporation and Entrepreneur Business Solutions from USA, as per plans EBS-SunPower, a joint venture company, will bring the latest solar technology ,along with it has plan of localised manufacturing facilities, which will be based in Punjab state, with a investment of Rs. 500 crores, to generate 1000 megawatts of power in phased manner over next two years, providing employment to the state and also setting up the first entrepreneur center in association with Punjab Energy Development Agency( PEDA) to impart training and certification in the field of latest solar technologies. It will be helpful in creating of jobs and investments in this field which in turn will benefit the state with more power generated through solar.
    Chief Minister Mr.Badal asked Secretary, Science & Technology, to make a detail plan to establish a network of solar power plants in the state in collaboration with SunPower and EBS through Punjab Energy Development Agency. Mr.Badal also asked the representatives of SunPower and EBS to set up a demo projects at the rooftops of the government buildings for tapping solar energy which could be later on replicated in other government buildings such as district administrative complexes, warehousing and Markfed go downs. Mr. Gurmeet Naroola, who is in charge of SunPower business development in India, said EBS-SunPower, was a joint venture to promote latest solar technology. The company plans to invest Rs 500 crore to set up manufacturing units in the state. Mr.Naroola said once the project is implemented it will expand employment opportunities in the state. The company would also help set up an entrepreneur centre in association with PEDA to impart training and certification in the field of solar technology. “EBS-SunPower has already started commissioning the first grid for a 5-mw solar power plant at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in Punjab which is expected to be operational in July,” said Naroola. Mr.Badal said that he would soon call on Union Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah to get solar power projects allotted for Punjab under various schemes.
    Hopefully solar energy projects will reach at its full capacity in Punjab state in next two years, then people of the state will get relief from long unschedule power cuts, especially in summer season when it’s really very hard to think of life without power due to scorching unbearable heat, last summer temperature had touched 47 degree mark, it may be due to global warming but the sufferer were common people of state. After the period of two years, as claims by the government, power crises’ in the Punjab state will be history and solar power will add prosperity to the state.