KOCHI: Kochi corporation has decided to appoint International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for executing the solar city project. The local body has informed that it will hold preliminary discussions with ICLEI representatives in a month.
The aim of the project is to promote the use of renewable energy in urban areas. Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi were identified as suitable regions for implementing the project.
"The corporation has already associated with ICLEI for implementing climate change mitigation schemes. The Centre will provide financial assistance for DPR preparation. Though the project was to be submitted during the 11th Plan period (2007 to 2012), there was some delay in finalizing consultants for DPR preparation," said town planning committee chairman K J Sohan.
The Centre has extended financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh to each city depending upon its population and initiatives taken by the corporation council. For DPR preparation and master plan Rs 10 lakh has been alotted , while Rs 10 lakh will be used for setting up solar city cell and its functioning for a period of three years.
The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) also provides Rs 20 lakh for capacity building and other promotional activities and another Rs 10 lakh is allocated for oversight of implementation for a period of three years. Under the scheme, MNRE would provide a framework and support to prepare a master plan including assessment of current energy situation, future demand and action plans. It envisages involvement of various stakeholders in planning process and also overseeing implementation of suitable energy options through public-private partnerships.
