Osmania University to set up Solar Power Plant

Hyderabad, June 15: In a significant development, The Osmania University will soon generate its own electricity to meet its needs partially, with plans for the establishment of 1 MW solar power plant that may start in a few months.

The university has proposed the 1 MW power plant in its presentation for securing funds under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the Central government's scheme to improve quality in the Indian State universities. It has already been sanctioned Rs. 108 crore under the scheme.

OU Vice-Chancellor S. Ramchandram said the 1 MW power plant will meet nearly 20% of the present energy needs of the varsity as it is paying nearly Rs. 12 crore electricity charges every year. For the establishment of the 1 MW plant it takes about Rs. 5 crore to Rs. 6 crore apart from five acres.

The varsity has already identified some places and is ready to spend the money for the project from the RUSA funds. It is likely to take a shape soon as the funds under RUSA have to be spent before 2020.

Officials say they can actually have a 2 MW plant, but RUSA norms state that only 30% of funds can be spent on infrastructure and the rest on academic programmes and facilities required for them.