Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of New and Renewable Energy (DNRE) of Goa for the launch of India’s first convergence project in the state. As per the proposal, EESL will develop solar-powered agriculture feeders, battery energy storage systems, and LED streetlights in rural areas of Goa. EESL aims to boost sustainable rural infrastructure in India by making use of its carbon financing mechanism. As per the agreement, the two agencies will be required to conduct feasibility studies for the development of solar projects in the state. The EESL proposes to develop 100 MW of decentralised ground-mounted solar power projects with capacities ranging between 500 kW to 2 MW. Further, 6,300 agricultural pumps will be replaced with BEE star rated energy efficient pumps. It is also proposed that these projects will be set up near substations that will enable discoms to supply power at a lower transmission cost. In addition to strengthening the discoms, the convergence project is expected to accrue savings of Rs 25.74 billion to the state of Goa over 25 years.
Decentralised solar systems aim to provide benefits for local communities by providing social and monetary benefits. It is a system that has increasingly been adopted in India to help farmers in practicing energy-efficient methods of agriculture. In November 2020,the Andhra Pradesh government proposed the development of 10 GW of solar capacity for nine hours of free daytime supply of power to the agricultural sector. In October 2020, Uttarakhand proposed the installation of 250 MW of small solar capacities to create opportunities for unemployed youth and farmers.