Kavaratti: Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, conducted a comprehensive review of the power sector in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep today. The meeting, held in Kavaratti, was attended by Praful Patel, Honorable Administrator of the UT of Lakshadweep, senior officials from the UT administration, the Government of India, and the Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
The meeting addressed various power sector issues, including the status of power generation, electricity demand and supply, and performance under the flagship PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Discussions also focused on ongoing projects such as the ground-mounted solar project and the proposed floating solar power plant.
Praful Patel expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for prioritizing Lakshadweep’s power sector. He emphasized the need for inter-island connectivity through submarine cables, highlighting its importance for consistent and quality power supply. Additionally, he urged the Union Government to consider modernization of transmission and distribution systems under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
In his address, Manohar Lal stressed the importance of reducing electricity generation costs by shifting from diesel-based systems to renewable sources like solar and wind, supplemented by battery energy storage systems for grid stability. He encouraged Lakshadweep to explore alternate energy sources and pilot renewable energy-powered electric vehicles (EVs) and boats.
The Union Minister proposed a phased approach to “greening” select islands, starting with Agatti-Bangaram, Minicoy, and Kadmat. He assured the Ministry’s full support for these initiatives, which aim to enhance sustainability and environmental conservation in the region.
Manohar Lal reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to supporting Lakshadweep’s development. “Our efforts will focus on reducing dependence on traditional power sources, fostering renewable energy solutions, and modernizing infrastructure to ensure improved services for the people of Lakshadweep,” he said.