THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: You’ve heard of the PPP - public-private-partnership - model. So here’s the next step in evolution; the PPPP model.
The Energy Management Centre, Kerala (EMC), the nodal agency for energy conservation initiatives in the state, has come up with the ‘4P’ model to promote small hydro projects among local bodies. The four ‘P’s stand for ‘Public, private, panchayat partnership.’
An autonomous body under the state government, EMC presents the model as a solution to two routine problems faced by developers of small hydro-electric power projects (SHEP) in the state; land acquisition and public protest.
The EMC is planning to pilot at least two schemes under the 4P model this year - both in Idukki district - with the participation of local panchayats. The first one is on the Valara falls near Adimali and the other in Murickassery panchayat.
‘’Instead of taking over the land, we make the owner shareholders along with EMC, the local body concerned and even funding agencies if necessary with a proportionate revenue-sharing mechanism for the land owner,’’ said EMC joint director G Anil.
EMC will prepare the DPR for the local body under the scheme. Panchayats can use their plan funds or, as an option, EMC also can chip in with funding.
Through their implementation, EMC hopes to generate interest among local bodies for implementing SHEPs via PPPP model.
Such projects also stand to get ample subsidies from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), said EMC director K M Dhareshan Unnithan. MNRE Central financial assistance will be available up to Rs 1.25 lakh per kilowatt.
SHEPs are projects with an installed capacity of up to 25 MW. Nationally, considering them a thrust area, the MNRE promotes them in both private and public sectors.