Kerala University aims zero bill for power, water

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University is planning to turn its Kariavattom campus net-zero water and energy. The plan is to have the water supply of its own and generate electricity using solar panels to avoid heavy water and power bills. R. Dilip, joint-registrar, campus administration, said they would dig two wells - one near the Hymavathi pond and the other near the botany department. Solar panels will be installed on all buildings to meet the energy requirement of the entire campus.

"The works for projects would commence soon," he told DC. Sources said ANERT had commissioned a 100 kW grid-connected solar power plant on the Golden Jubilee Building roof-top of the  on the campus in July 2015 as part of the university's green initiatives. The power plant project has been completed under the Deposit Work Scheme of ANERT. The project got approval from the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE).

It is expected that 30 percent of the project cost will come as central financial assistance. The project is expected to generate 1,46,000 units of electricity annually from the plant. Project has gone through all approvals of the state. It has got grid connectivity approval from KSEB Limited and the energisation approval from Electrical Inspectorate, sources said.