JOIN USThe State has been set a target to generate 600 MW of solar power under a Centrally sponsored scheme for encouraging unemployed educated youth and farmers to generate renewable power through installation of solar panels.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Monday, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said unemployed youth and farmers who own land can apply for the scheme to generate solar power ranging between 0.5MW and five megawatts.
Under the project, 300 MW each has been earmarked for youth and farmers.
Shivakumar said the Central scheme has been based on the State’s solar policy and other states have been directed to adopt the Karnataka model. The guidelines for the scheme and the definition for “unemployed youth” would be finalised soon.
The beneficiaries are required to hold a majority stake in the projects and would be allowed to bring in partners for up to 49 per cent of the equity. An equity incentive of Rs 50 lakh would be provided to each beneficiary. It takes around Rs five crore to generate one MW of power. The solar panels would preferably have to be installed near 11/33/66 kV power substations.
Linesmen recruitment
Shivakumar said the Energy department would recruit a total of 14,948 linesmen in three phases for Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited and the five electricity supply companies. In the first phase, 8,080 linesmen would be recruited. The candidates should have passed SSLC and would have to undergo a physical fitness test. Applications inviting candidates for the first phase recruitment would be notified on June 10.
Shivakumar said as many as 28,615 candidates have been found to be eligible for an aptitude test to be conducted by the Indian Institute of Management Bengaluru for recruitment of 912 engineers/ accounts officers for the energy department.
The aptitude test would be conducted at various locations in the State on June 28. The vacancies to be filled include 480 junior engineers, 413 assistant executive engineers, four civil engineers and 15 accounts officers.