“Renewable Energy Will Transform the Future of the State”- CM Sai
Raipur, April 2025 6
The increased use of renewable energy will lead us toward a clean and secure future. Electricity is the biggest need of today, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, new targets have been set in the renewable energy sector, and work is progressing rapidly to achieve them.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today inaugurated and performed the groundbreaking for various development works worth over 50 crore rupees in the renewable energy sector at the CREDA office premises in the capital Raipur. During the event, he also launched solar-powered battery swapping stations and converted solar e-rickshaws.
While addressing the program, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai extended his best wishes to everyone on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. He said that today marks the beginning of significant work in the renewable energy sector. Considering the environmental damage caused by traditional fuel sources, the use of solar and renewable energy can bring about a great transformation.
He stated that many solar energy-related schemes are being implemented in the state, and their effective implementation is benefiting the common people and farmers. Additionally, electricity is being supplied to Naxal-affected areas through the Niyad Nellanara Yojana, brightening remote villages. He further mentioned that the launch of solar-powered e-rickshaws today will make e-rickshaw operations more affordable and increase the income of e-rickshaw drivers.
Shri Sai also shared that the government’s goal is to provide not half, but free electricity in the state, and efforts are ongoing in this direction. He called the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme a key initiative of the central government and stated that the state government has also provisioned subsidies in the budget to benefit more and more poor families. The Chief Minister announced that proposals for investments exceeding 3 lakh crore rupees have been received in the energy sector, which will bring about a revolutionary change, allowing the state to meet future energy needs with ease.
Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh said that the whole world is adopting renewable energy for a clean environment. He mentioned that fossil fuel usage will gradually decrease and be replaced by renewable energy in the coming years. Dr. Singh extended his best wishes for the inauguration and groundbreaking of works worth over 50 crore rupees related to renewable energy, calling it a major step towards clean energy.
Inauguration and Groundbreaking of Works Worth Over 50 Crore Rupees in the Renewable Energy Sector
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today inaugurated and laid the foundation for works worth over 50 crore rupees related to renewable energy in Raipur. The inaugurated works include a solar-powered battery swapping station worth 29 lakh rupees, converting regular e-rickshaws into solar e-rickshaws, and the installation of 54 solar high masts, 152 solar dual pumps, and two solar power plants under the Niyad Nellanara Yojana.
The groundbreaking works include the installation of solar-powered battery swapping stations at energy education gardens in Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, and Jagdalpur, making all energy education gardens net-zero, renovation of the Rajnandgaon energy education garden, installation of solar high masts and a community biogas plant in Balod district, 50 solar high mast installations at 23 tourist sites in Baloda Bazar district, solar energy installation at sub-health centers in Korba district, a 500-kilowatt on-grid solar power plant at the Hiriya Dolomite Mine in Bilaspur district, and solar energy installations in Ashrams and hostels in Korba. The groundbreaking ceremony also included the installation of a 280-kilowatt on-grid and 2.4-kilowatt off-grid solar power plant in Kunjara village, Jashpur.
CREDA’s Innovative Initiative to Increase the Income of Battery-Operated E-Rickshaw Drivers
Work is Underway to Enhance Basic Facilities with Solar Energy
CREDA CEO Shri Rajesh Singh Rana explained that the solar-powered battery swapping stations have been developed by CREDA as a pilot project for battery-operated electric rickshaws. With battery swapping, e-rickshaw drivers can quickly exchange a discharged battery for a fully charged one at an affordable cost. This will enable e-rickshaw drivers to cover more distance daily, increasing their income. Similarly, solar panel-based e-rickshaws developed by CREDA are more energy-efficient compared to regular e-rickshaws. This innovation addresses the common issue faced by drivers of needing to frequently charge their batteries. With solar panels installed on e-rickshaws, CREDA has significantly solved this problem.
Shri Rana also highlighted that CREDA is making significant efforts to provide basic solar-powered facilities in both rural and urban areas, including the installation of solar plants in Ashrams, health centers, and energy education gardens, operating community streetlights using solar power, installing solar high masts, and setting up community biogas plants.
On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, MLAs Shri Motilal Sahu, Shri Anuj Sharma, Shri Sampat Agrawal, Shri Sunil Soni, newly appointed CREDA Chairman Shri Bhupendra Savanni, newly appointed heads of the corporation boards, Secretary of the Energy Department Dr. Rohit Yadav, and a large number of citizens were present.