JOIN USSubrahmanya GP to make watts from waste
If everything goes as per the plan, then Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat will start generating electricity using degradable waste from April end.
Electricity is a biggest problem in most of the rural areas. The villagers face lot of problem due to frequent failure of power. Vagaries of monsoon leave several rural villages without power for days together. Apart from this, the Gram Panchayats have to earmark 40 per cent of their fund for paying the electricity bill. Hence to empower the Gram Panchayats, Zilla Panchayat has chalked out plan to start generating electricity from waste in Subrahmanya. Based on the success of this project, the Zilla Panchayat will expand the plan to other gram panchayats.
“The unit for generating electricity is under construction. The unit is being installed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. It can use 300 kg waste daily. The bio gas generated from the unit can be converted into electricity using generator and converter. It can generate 15kv electricity daily,” Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash said Deccan Herald.
The generated electricity can light 150 streetlights in four main roads of the village. It can also be used for pumping water during day time. Slurry can be converted into manure, he added.
He said “majority of the funds received by the Gram Panchayat is used for paying the electricity bill and the salary of the Gram Panchayat employees. Once the unit starts functioning, the Gram Panchayat can save Rs 35 lakh within five years.”
He said “the funds available with the gram panchayat, Nirmal Gram Puraskar can be utilised for the bio gas unit. The union government also provides subsidy for unconventional sources of energy. In fact, over 10 lakh devotees visit Subrahmanya every month. If the Deputy Commissioner confirms the number of devotees, then the Energy department will provide Rs 15 lakh for the unit.”
“The solid waste management unit is getting ready near Subrahmanya temple at the cost of Rs 20 lakh. The unit will be inaugurated in April. The Gram Panchayat gets annual grant of Rs eight lakh for electricity. With the completion of the unit, we can solve the problems related to electricity to some extent. The unit will also provide employment to 12 persons. Plastic wastes will be segregated from the remaining waste collected in the Gram Panchayat jurisdiction,” said Subrahmanya Gram Panchayat President Bhaskar Poojary.
Bio gas
The SC/ST hostel in Bajpe uses bio gas for preparing meals using the biodegradable waste. The hostel has 35 students. With three kg waste, bio gas is produced which can be used for two hours in a day. Similar, bio gas plants will be set up at Baddandadka school, Halepete school in Ujire, Laila Karnori Anganwadi, Somrnadu anganwadi in Panjikallu Gram Panchayat, Daddalakadur anganwadi.
“There is a need to encourage students to take up alternative sources of energy. If schools have such units, then students will be motivated and encouraged to set up similar units at home,” said CEO.