According to an official statement released by the Union health ministry, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) have agreed into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable energy in healthcare research. This program is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) vision, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy.
Rooftop solar panels having a combined capacity of 4,559 KW will be provided, installed, tested, commissioned, and maintained by NVVN at 15 ICMR facilities nationwide as part of the agreement. By lowering the ICMR’s energy costs and carbon footprint, these solar arrays will help India achieve its national renewable energy targets.
A power purchase agreement (PPA) with a set solar tariff for the next 25 years is included in the Memorandum of Understanding for grid-connected solar projects. With this arrangement, the ICMR’s activities are guaranteed long-term cost-efficiency and sustainability, allowing them to enjoy consistent and reasonably priced energy costs for a considerable amount of time. Previous projects have already provided solar electricity to seven ICMR institutes; the present arrangement with NVVN will enable access to solar energy for additional facilities.
By this agreement, ICMR will be positioned as a pioneer in the biomedical area when it comes to adopting green energy, leading by example and serving as a model for other healthcare facilities. Incorporating renewable energy into medical research facilities encourages resource conservation and advances India’s larger renewable energy goals. By switching to solar power, ICMR not only lessens its carbon footprint but also supports the country’s environmental preservation and sustainability initiatives.
This partnership between ICMR and NVVN is indicative of India’s ongoing attempts to incorporate renewable energy into a range of industries, including healthcare, in order to create a sustainable future. It is a big step in the right direction toward the government’s targets for renewable energy and encouraging the use of sustainable energy sources to improve medical research. Long-term, this program will assist the ICMR in lowering operating expenses and increasing energy efficiency, guaranteeing that the emphasis stays on promoting environmental responsibility while advancing healthcare research and public health outcomes.
SOURCE :
ECONOMIC TIMES
