Tripura to solarise 5,000 water pumps to reduce power bill

The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has launched a project to convert around 5,000 electricity-powered drinking water pumps into solar-powered systems to reduce the state’s electricity bill, an official said on Wednesday.

The Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) department currently spends around Rs 125 crore annually on electricity to operate nearly 10,000 conventional drinking water pumps across the state.

TREDA Director General Debabrata Sukladas said the decision was taken after the issue of rising expenditure on water supply was discussed during a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha.

“The high expenditure incurred by the DWS department on water supply came up during a recent review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha. Following his directive, we have initiated a programme to convert at least 5,000 water pumps to solar power to reduce electricity costs,” TREDA Director General Debabrata Sukladas told PTI.

The project aims to convert at least 5,000 conventional water pumps to solar-powered systems as part of the state’s efforts to reduce electricity costs while operating its drinking water supply network.