Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on 21st August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
On August 21, 2026, Union Minister Shripad Naik inaugurated two grid-connected solar power projects at the Bambolim and Agassaim water pumping stations in Goa. Supported by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) under its CSR initiative, these projects aim to integrate clean energy with essential public infrastructure. The installations are expected to generate significant annual cost savings of ₹18 lakh and offset up to 190 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Key Points / Main Content
Project Specifications and Support
Capacity: The initiative includes an 80 kW on-grid solar project at Bambolim and a 90 kW on-grid solar project at Agassaim.
Funding: Both projects were funded through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of IREDA.
Purpose: To power drinking water supply infrastructure using renewable energy, aligning with the national sustainable development agenda.
Economic and Energy Impact
Electricity Generation: The two plants are projected to generate approximately 2.60 lakh units of clean electricity annually.
Financial Savings: The shift to solar power is estimated to reduce the Drinking Water Department’s expenditure on conventional electricity by over ₹18 lakh per year.
Environmental Benefits
Carbon Offset: The projects are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 140 to 190 tonnes every year.
Ecological Equivalent: The environmental impact is comparable to the carbon absorption of 3,000 to 4,500 mature trees over a ten-year period.
Strategic Vision for Goa
Expansion Goals: The Minister highlighted Goa’s potential for solar adoption across public buildings, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and residential communities.
Scaling: There is a call to transition from isolated projects toward a comprehensive "solarisation movement" across the state.
Impact Analysis
Drinking Water Department, Government of GoaImpact
The department will benefit from a modernized power source for its pumping stations and a significant reduction in annual operational costs.
Action Required
Maintain the new solar installations and monitor electricity generation to ensure the projected savings of ₹18 lakh are realized.
Government Departments and Local BodiesImpact
These entities are identified as key drivers for the next phase of solar adoption in public infrastructure.
Action Required
Identify further opportunities for solarisation on government rooftops and public infrastructure to accelerate the adoption of clean energy.
Private StakeholdersImpact
The government is seeking increased participation from the private sector to expand the renewable energy footprint in the state.
Action Required
Collaborate with government agencies to identify and implement solar power opportunities within the state's residential and commercial sectors.
IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency)Impact
The agency successfully demonstrated the utility of its CSR funds in supporting essential public infrastructure through renewable energy.
Action Required
Continue supporting similar clean energy initiatives in Goa and across India as part of the broader national renewable energy agenda.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA): The agency that supported the solar power projects at Bambolim and Agassaim through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Shri Shripad Naik: Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy who inaugurated the projects and advocates for the national renewable energy agenda.
Bambolim and Agassaim, Goa: The locations of the grid-connected solar power projects implemented at water pumping stations to integrate clean energy with public infrastructure.
Drinking Water Department, Government of Goa: The primary beneficiary department whose infrastructure was solarised to achieve annual savings and carbon emission offsets.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Minister Shripad Naik inaugurates two grid-
connected solar power projects at Bambolim and
Agassaim water pumping stations
Projects expected to save over ₹18 lakh annually and offset
up to 190 tonnes of CO₂ emissions
प्रव तथ: 21 AUG 2026 5:55PM by PIB Mumbai
Panaji, Goa August 21, 2026
Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri Shripad Naik
on Friday inaugurated two grid-connected solar power projects at the Bambolim and
Agassaim water pumping stations of the Drinking Water Department, Government
of Goa.
The projects — an 80 kW On-Grid Solar Power Project at Bambolim and a 90 kW
On-Grid Solar Power Project at Agassaim — have been supported under the
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Indian Renewable Energy
Development Agency (IREDA). The projects seek to integrate clean energy with
essential public infrastructure, particularly drinking water supply.Speaking at the post-inauguration programme, Shri Shripad Naik said the
commissioning of the two plants was not merely about setting up solar power
generation but represented a broader vision of sustainable development, clean
energy and responsible governance.
He said the projects demonstrated how renewable energy could be integrated with
essential public infrastructure to deliver both economic and environmental benefits.
Appreciating IREDA for supporting the initiative through its CSR programme, he
expressed hope that similar initiatives would continue in Goa and across the
country.The two installations together are expected to generate approximately 2.60 lakh
units of clean electricity annually, subject to actual solar generation and site
conditions. According to the minister, the shift to solar power will reduce
dependence on conventional electricity and is estimated to generate annual savings
of more than ₹18 lakh for the Drinking Water Department.
Highlighting the environmental gains of the projects, the minister said the projects
are expected to offset around 140 to 190 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year,
depending on the applicable grid emission factor. He said the impact would be
comparable to the carbon absorption associated with more than 3,000 to 4,500
mature trees over a ten-year period.
“These solar projects are not simply about producing electricity. They are about
clean air, a healthier environment, lower carbon emissions and a better future for
our children,” the minister said.
Calling Goa a state with enormous potential for renewable energy, he said the
availability of abundant sunlight, suitable rooftops, government infrastructure and
growing public awareness could help accelerate the adoption of solar energy across
public buildings, water supply infrastructure, educational institutions, healthcare
facilities and residential communities.
Shri Shripad Naik urged government departments, local bodies, institutions and
private stakeholders to identify more opportunities for solarisation and called for a
shift from individual projects towards a larger solarisation movement across Goa.
The minister placed the initiative within the larger national renewable-energy
agenda, noting that the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, has placed renewable energy and sustainable development at the
centre of India's growth story.
The programme was attended by MLA of St Cruz Shri Rudolf Fernandes, Chairman
of Goa State Minorities Finance Development Corporation Shri Francisco Silveira,
Medical Superintendent of Goa Medical College Dr Rajesh Patil, representatives ofIREDA, Chief Engineer of the Drinking Water Department Shri V. J. Bhende, Chief
Engineer of the Electricity Department Shri Stephan Fernandes, Managing Director
of GEDA Shri Gaurish Shankhwalkar, local representatives and other officials.
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