Corporation’s main office to be powered by solar energy

Tiruchi Corporation’s main office on the Bharathidasan Salai in the city would soon be powered by solar energy. In a pilot project that seeks to promote alternative energy sources and to cut down on its power bill, Tiruchi Corporation has decided to install a solar system at the office.

The move comes in the wake of a suggestion mooted at a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) under a project taken up with the support of the British High Commission, to formulate urban climate guidelines focusing on clean technologies to build sustainable low carbon cities. Tiruchi is one of three cities in Tamil Nadu where the project has been taken up. It was suggested at the meeting that the corporation and other institutions in the city go in for solar power systems.

On Tuesday, the corporation council approved the proposal to install a solar power system at the office. The civic body has planned to avail of 30 per cent subsidy on the project cost from Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and raise another 60 per cent as loan from Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure and Financial Services Ltd., (TNUIFSL). The corporation would contribute 10 per cent of the project cost from its general fund.

According to an official resolution on the subject, the corporation main office, with its host of centralised computer systems, air conditioners and lighting, consumes about 1.51 lakh units of power annually. It incurs an expenditure of about Rs.10.15 lakh towards power consumption annually.

However, consequent to the recent hike in power tariff, the expenditure is expected to increase substantially. By opting for a solar system, the civic body is hoping to achieve a minimum savings of about Rs.11 lakh annually.

The council also approved a proposal to execute a new drinking water scheme for the five new wards that have been added to it following the merger of Tiruverumbur town panchayat, and Pappakurichi, Ellakudi, Keezha Kalkandarkottai and Alathur panchayats, with Tiruchi Corporation upon delimitation.

The new water scheme is intended to increase the per capita water supply to 135 litres a day in the five wards.