In the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Jain, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed and exchanged between the State Government and representatives of the University of California, Berkeley, at Samatva Bhawan, Chief Minister’s residence. The University of California, Berkeley has proposed the establishment of a “Centre on Energy Transition” in Bhopal. The State Government has taken serious steps in this direction. On this occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that renewable energy is the biggest medium to fulfill our energy needs today. Our government is making serious efforts in this direction. Through renewable energy production, we are rapidly moving to make Madhya Pradesh a model state in this matter in the country. For this, we will also take help from experts of prestigious institutions.
It is noteworthy that the University of California, Berkeley has presented a hypothesis through energy modelling, data consolidation, and regulatory expertise that tariff lower than thermal energy can be achieved through energy storage-based renewable energy projects. The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMS) developed the first such solar energy project in Rewa in 2017, where for the first time solar energy tariff was obtained at rates lower than coal-based energy. The University of California, Berkeley believes that the strong project implementation capacity, balanced risk management, and innovations of Madhya Pradesh and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar can replicate this achievement. Berkeley University is committed to working with Madhya Pradesh Government and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar to achieve the common goal of “developing a low-cost alternative to coal-based energy.” There is a proposal to establish the “Centre on Energy Transition” at Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal.