MoU related to exploration and development of geothermal energy was signed between Uttarakhand Government and Icelandic company VERKIS
It will prove to be a milestone in the energy security and sustainable development of Uttarakhand as well as the country: Dhami
DEHRADUN: An agreement was concluded on January 17 between the Uttarakhand Government and Icelandic company VERKIS Consulting Engineers in the Secretariat in the presence of Chief Minister Dhami and Icelandic Ambassador Dr. Benedict Hoskulson regarding the exploration and development of geothermal energy in Uttarakhand.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami who attended the ceremony in the virtual mode, said that the MoU will prove to be a milestone in the field of energy security and sustainable development of Uttarakhand and the country as well.
He said that through this MoU of geothermal energy, not only the goal of clean and renewable energy will be achieved but the path of inclusive development will also be paved while ensuring environmental security. He said that Iceland is a leading country in the field of geothermal energy and with its technical cooperation and experience, Uttarakhand will emerge as an important state in the field of geothermal energy.
He stated that no objection has been received from three important ministries of the Government of India, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Ministry of External Affairs. The expenditures of studying the feasibility of geothermal energy in the state will be borne by the Government of Iceland, he added.
It is worth mentioning that according to the assessment done by the Geological Survey of India and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, about 40 geothermal sites have been identified in the state of Uttarakhand, in which geothermal energy can be exploited.
During this, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Dilip Jawalkar and Dipendra Chaudhary, Special Secretary/Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra, Additional Secretary Ranjana Rajguru, Managing Director UJVN Limited Sandeep Singhal, Managing Director Pitkul PC Dhyani along with Hanker Haroldsson, Ranjit Kunna from Works Company and Rahul Changtham from Iceland Embassy were present.
