Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 (IANS): Annually spending a whopping Rs 6,000 crore to purchase power from outside, Kerala has decided to step up power generation through renewable energy sources like solar and windmill, a state minister has announced.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, state Minister for Electricity Kadakampally Surendran said in three years the state will generate 600 MW power through solar projects.

"Sixtyfive per cent of the annual power requirements of the state is sourced from outside the state and with the Centre coming out with new rules that 85 per cent of the power generated in a state has to be utilised in the state, we will now have to think of alternate sources. And the best bet is going to be solar and windmill," said Surendran.

"A 200 MW solar park is getting ready in Kasargode district and by January next year the first phase of 30 MW will become ready. We have identified a suitable land also in Kasargode district and the proposal is to set up another 200 MW solar park."

"Besides, we will also go ahead with generating 200 MW of solar power on the land owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board across the state," said the minister.

He pointed out that micro windmills have been installed on an experimental basis at the board's headquarters here.

"These are small windmills that can generate about 300 watts and can be placed on roof tops. These are developed by the board itself and costs of this can be brought down to a reasonable level when mass-scale production is undertaken. The time has come where every household should look forward to produce a little bit of their own power," said Surendran.

He also said from October onwards all new applications for power connection can be made online.

"Likewise, from now on the board will inform every consumer the bill amount through SMS, WhatsApp, and so also if there is going to be a temporary power outage and the expected time when power would be restored," added the minister.