Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal reviewed the power and urban development sector of Lakshadweep during his visit to Kavaratti. The meeting was attended by Shri Praful Patel, the Administrator of Lakshadweep, senior officials from the UT administration, the Government of India, and the Power Finance Corporation (PFC). The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss the power sector issues of the Union Territory (UT) and explore ways to enhance the region’s energy infrastructure.
The discussions highlighted various challenges faced by the UT’s power sector, including the status of power generation, sources of generation, and the performance of the electricity department. Issues related to the demand and supply of power, as well as the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, were also reviewed. A key focus was placed on the development of renewable energy projects, including the ground-mounted solar project and the proposed floating solar power plant.
The Administrator of Lakshadweep thanked the Union Minister for reviewing the power sector issues in the UT and emphasized the concerns related to the power supply. He requested the approval of projects to interconnect the islands via submarine cables, which would improve the quality and reliability of power supply across Lakshadweep. A detailed proposal for the project will be submitted soon. Additionally, the Administrator requested consideration for the modernization of transmission and distribution systems under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
In his address, Shri Manohar Lal assured the UT officials of continued support and cooperation from the Government of India. He mentioned that his visit was aimed at addressing current challenges and identifying new initiatives to improve services for the people of Lakshadweep. The Union Minister stressed the importance of reducing the cost of electricity generation over time. He highlighted the need to reduce dependence on diesel-based generation and suggested increasing the share of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, along with incorporating battery energy storage systems for grid stability.
Shri Manohar Lal further encouraged the UT to explore alternate energy sources and expand the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs). He recommended setting up solar-powered EV charging stations and even proposed the possibility of conducting a pilot project to convert diesel-powered boats to solar energy. The Union Minister emphasized the importance of sustainable development and stated that the Ministry would provide the necessary support for greening select islands of Lakshadweep, such as Agatti-Bangaram, Minicoy, and Kadmat, as a starting point.
In conclusion, the Union Minister reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to supporting the overall development of Lakshadweep. He expressed hope that the people of the UT would benefit from improved power infrastructure and renewable energy projects, contributing to the region’s sustainable growth.
