The State government will soon unveil a clutch of policies in the energy and water sectors as part of the efforts to tackle emerging challenges and requirements, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar indicated in his policy address to the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Kerala also hopes to tap Central funds to build multipurpose dams for flood control, electricity generation, drinking water supply and irrigation, the policy address noted.
In the energy sector, the government intends to unveil State-level policies for the development of green hydrogen projects, floating solar energy and pumped storage projects (PSP). These are designed to aid the State’s progress towards the target of becoming a 100% renewable-energy-powered State by 2040.
In the water resources sector, the government is planning to have a State Water Policy designed to aid integrated water resources management.
“By harnessing reservoirs and water bodies, floating solar projects aim to generate 6,000 megawatts (MW), while solar-based pumped hydro projects, utilising existing reservoirs without additional land acquisition are projected to add 8,000 MW,” according to the policy address.
Given the potential of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects to attarct global investment, the State government is planning to host the Global Green Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Summit in Kochi in march 2025. The event is aimed at positioning Kerala as the country’s green energy capital and a premier hub for green energy exports, it said.
The proposed State Water Policy will promote a “holistic approach of linking social and economic development.” Programmes will be implemented under the policy to make all local bodies self reliant in water augmentation and conservation, it said.
In the water resources sector, the government also plans to give high priority to recycling and reuse.
KERALA REITERATES STAND ON NEW MULLAPERIYAR DAM
The State government will make all efforts for a consensus on building a new dam in Mullaperiyar, Idukki, the policy address said. It also reiterated the the State government’s declared stand ‘Water to Tamil Nadu and safety to Kerala,’ which the policy address described as the ‘guiding principle’ of the State government on this issue.
Published – January 17, 2025 06:42 pm IST
