Goa Moves Toward Power Self-Reliance: Union Minister Manohar Lal Reviews Key Infrastructure Projects

Panaji :
Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Development, Manohar Lal, during his visit to Goa, announced significant steps to make the state self-reliant in electricity production while accelerating urban infrastructure development.

Goa to Reduce Dependence on External Power Sources

Currently sourcing over 80% of its electricity from outside the state, Goa is being encouraged to establish its power generation unit. The Union Power Minister stressed the importance of self-sufficiency in energy and proposed exploring the setup of a nuclear power plant within the state.

“A detailed project report should be prepared immediately,” the Minister said, highlighting the urgency for long-term power sustainability.

Urban Infrastructure Push: Central Projects Under Review

During his visit, Minister Manohar Lal was welcomed by Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik. The Union Minister held review meetings with senior state officials to assess ongoing urban development and power projects funded by the central government.

He directed state departments to prioritize the implementation of urban infrastructure initiatives and praised Goa for its consistent progress in this area.

Key mentions included:

• Reducing AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses

• Narrowing the ACS-ARR (Average Cost of Supply – Average Revenue Realized) gap

• Enhancing urban livability and public services

Rooftop Solar and Smart Meters: Goa Sets a Model

Union Minister Manohar Lal lauded the Goa government’s efforts to promote rooftop solar adoption and its citizen-friendly, streamlined electricity connection process. He also pushed for a statewide rollout of smart metering systems.

“Smart meters will improve billing efficiency, enable data analytics through AI and machine learning, and empower both DISCOMs and consumers,” he said. The Minister emphasized deployment in government offices, high-consumption areas, and industrial clusters.

Clean Energy, Digital Integration, and Utility Reform

With a broader aim of modernizing Goa’s energy ecosystem, the Union Minister encouraged further integration of renewable energy sources into the state’s power grid. These efforts, he noted, would reduce electricity costs and help boost overall performance and reliability.

The central government also committed to supporting Goa in adopting AI-based monitoring tools and analytics-driven management to minimize utility losses.

Chief Minister’s Vision: State-Owned Power Unit

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant expressed gratitude for the central government’s continued support and echoed the need for Goa to establish a state-owned power generation unit. “This will not only ensure energy independence but also reduce long-term costs for consumers,” he stated.

Central Government Reaffirms Commitment to Goa’s Development

At the conclusion of the visit, Minister Manohar Lal reassured the state of full central backing for Goa’s development journey. “The government is committed to inclusive growth and building world-class infrastructure in Goa,” he added.