Renewable energy to combat climate change: CM

IMPHAL, August 20: In commemoration of the birthday of the then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, today the Manipur Renewable Energy Agency (MANIREDA) organized and celebrated the day as the “Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas”, which means “Renewable Energy Day”, at the Manipur Public School, Koirengei in the presence of state Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Education Minister M Okendro Singh as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the celebration of Renewable Energy Day is a tribute to Rajiv Gandhi's vision of taking the country into the 21st century through application of modern science and technology.

“The occasion symbolizes a future of clean and safe energy for mankind.”

He said that the growing concern of global climate change and country's energy security has posed huge challenge before us and all countries are trying to develop Renewable Energy as an alternative source of energy.

“The Indian government too, is trying to deal with energy crisis through several measures and a separate Ministry for development of new and renewable energy has been created”, the Chief Minister added.

He further said that MANIREDA was established in 1999 as an autonomous government agency for the implementation of all the Renewable Energy projects/schemes in the State.

It has made significant contribution towards supplementing power shortages in the state particularly in remote areas, the Chief Minister said.

CM O Ibobi Singh during the Renewable Energy Day observation at Manipur Public School, Koirengei on Monday.

“The agency has completed installation of more than 3 MW installed capacity of various sources like solar, small hydel, wind, biomass etc.”

The Chief Minister also said that more than 200 remote villages of the state were benefitted with basic domestic lighting system from renewable energy systems.

Installations of power back up system have been taken up at important locations like hospitals, police stations, district administration offices and common service centers. The ongoing project for installation of 3340 nos. of solar water heaters by the agency would relieve about 5 MW of connected load from the overburden State power grid, he added.

The Chief Minister appealed to all to use renewable energy as far as possible and to extend full cooperation to MANIREDA in their ongoing projects and future ventures.

A Documentary Film on activities of MANIREDA was also shown on the occasion.