Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 26, 2015 : The Odisha government has prepared a Rs 514 crore master plan to develop the state capital here as a solar city, officials said.

The city is among 54 cities in 27 states for development as solar cities under Solar Cities Programme by the union ministry of new and renewable energy. The Ministry plans to support for development of some 60 cities and towns as green cities.

The project aims at reducing conventional energy by 10% in a span of five years through development of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures.

The energy consumption in Bhubaneswar in 2017 is pegged at 2911.42 MU equivalent electricity consumption and in 2022, it will shot up to 3643.81 MU equivalent electricity consumption, according to a study.

As per the Programme, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation [BMC] will have to set up an independent smart city cell and solar city stakeholders committee. It will decide on the rebate in property tax and in electricity tariff though distribution utilities to the users of solar water heaters, especially in domestic sector.

The civic body will amend building by-laws for making use of solar water hearing systems mandatory in certain category of buildings.

Meanwhile, the Centre has given an in-principle approval to the pilot rooftop solar power projects in the twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Five cities, one each in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir have got in-principle approval from the Ministry.

The criteria set by the ministry for the identification of cities include a city having population between 50,000 and 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category States including the northeast ones), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.