The Madhya Pradesh government has drawn an ambitious plan to generate 800 MW of power through solar, wind and biomass by 2013, to bridge the widening gap between the demand and supply of electricity in the state.

"We have embarked on a plan to generate 200 MW of power through solar energy, 400 MW from wind energy and 200 MW from Biomass by the year 2013," Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam (MPUVN) Managing Director, Neeraj Mandloi told PTI.

"At present, we are generating 167 MW from Wind Energy and 19 MW from Biomass," Mandloi said today.

Under the solar cities development plan of the Government of India's New and Renewable Energy Department, the state government has urged the Centre to include Bhopal, Jabalpur and Rewa also in the list of cities to be developed under the scheme, he said.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme on development of solar cities aimed at reducing demand for conventional energy by ten per cent through energy efficiency measures and harnessing renewable energy.

In the 11th plan period, 60 cities are proposed to be developed as 'Solar Cities' including two model cities, Mandloi said.

The Centre is providing financial support upto Rs 50 lakh for each solar city to the respective state governments for preparation of a master plan, awareness generation and capacity building activities, according to department sources.

During the Global Investors Meet to be held in Khajuraho in the month of October, after food-processing industry, the thrust area will be development of renewable energy sources, Mandloi said.

"We will come out with our Solar Energy Policy before the commencement of the investors meet," he said adding suggestions on the draft policy have already been received and are being studied for giving final shape to the new policy.

The proposed Solar Energy Policy 2010 is aimed at reducing the dependability on conventional energy sources like hydro and thermal energy and is focused on harnessing the solar potential.

The major objectives of the proposed Solar Energy Policy are to accelerate the harnessing and development of solar energy in MP, enhance energy security, promote efficient and cost-effective solar installations by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, promotion of local manufacturing facilities and harnessing solar energy by developing local capabilities and promoting public awareness, he said.

The state has lot of potential for harnessing solar energy as it is endowed with high solar radiation with around 300 days of clear sun. Madhya Pradesh offers good sites having potential of more than 5.5 kWh/sq m for installation of solar based power projects.

The proposed policy targets a total capacity of 500 MW from solar power generators for installations during the operative period of the policy.