Kolkata’s New Town first city in India to commit to UN’s energy pledge

New Town is Kolkata became the first Indian city to commit to United Nations’ energy compact pledge for combating the climate crisis, has committed to securing stable modern energy connection to everyone, research geothermal energy by 2030, utilise 2% renewable energy by 2030, guarantee 5% energy efficiency and non-motorisation of intra-city travel by 50%. Debasish Sen, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) chairman and MD, told the media that New Town is already a certified green city and a solar city that generates 1.3 MW of peak solar energy. They are promoting e-vehicles with sufficient charging infrastructure. Committing to compact energy movement will assist them in setting a benchmark to go for and expand. All organisations and households are connected to a grid-based stable electric power supply. Principle plots of land are given only after guaranteeing power connection from the grid. It has commenced from the inception of the city. The city is still under the development phase with a design population of one million residents and half a million floating population. New Town is a developing planned city where people are migrating, and new habitations are being created. Energy demand is surging with the increasing population. New Town is a solar city under the solar city goal of the central government with an established capacity of 1,252 KWp solar energy plants. Another 500 KWp is under establishment. 600 kwh power is being produced from one biomass converter unit making use of 5 TPD segregated wet waste. Additionally, 6,600 kwh power production via biomass converter is attainable with more available segregated wet waste of 55 TPD. Building rules have been revised to promote solar energy use in private buildings for power production and water heating, the city’s compact energy movement pledge explained. All existing and new buildings surpassing 15.5 m in height have the provision of a solar heater or solar PV cells. All commercial and business institutions with deals demand over 1.5 MW to set up rooftop systems to reach at least 2% of electrical load. Image SourceAlso read: PM discusses India’s renewable energy scenario with First Solar CEO