GMC’s new mantra! Solar Powered Pumps

Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) is planning to employ solar power in a bid to reduce its power consumption charges. Pump sets which supply drinking water to the city from various reservoirs will now be run through solar power. This is however not the first time that the GMC is using the non-conventional source of energy. The civic body had introduced solar power in four of its municipal schools under a pilot project.

With the introduction of solar power, the department is likely to save 5 lakh units of power, saving nearly Rs 60 lakh annually. GMC’s engineering wing is holding talks with New and Renewable Corporation of Andhra Pradesh for availing subsidies from the central government and is preparing a detailed project report. The pumping station cum purification plant at Thakellapadu is pumping 70 million litres, Vengalayapalem canal 3 million litres and Sangam Jagarlamudi pumping station 27 million litres. These centres are using 250 horsepower to pump water. Every month the GMC spends Rs 5 lakh towards energy charges to pump water from these centres. Besides, water supply gets disrupted due to erratic supply of power. Engineering officials believe that by tapping solar power, it can supply drinking water without interruption and also save power bills to the tune of Rs 60 lakh. To start with, the GMC authorities will set up a solar plant at Sangam Jagarlamudi. Joint collector and Commissioner Sridhar has already given the green signal for the solar project. The corporation has acquired land to setup the solar plant. The GMC will also supply surplus power, if any, to the AP Transco grid.

Superintendent engineer D Marianna said, “The corporation will save a lot of money because of the solar project and will also earn some revenue from the sale of power to the discom. In the future, the GMC plans to event power streetlights through solar power.”

By: Ravi P Benjamin