Himachal CM Announces Installation Of Solar Project In Kaza

Himachal Pradesh (HP) Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently announced the installation of a 2 MW solar power plant in the state to improve the power supply in the tribal region of Kaza. He said that within a few months, the plant would be fully operational with the addition of a 1 MWh battery storage system.

The CM stated that the state government was focusing on maximizing the use of solar energy to make Himachal Pradesh a ‘Green State’. To support this electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were being set up in various areas based on demand. He said that the government has also approved the installation of 18 Megawatt (MW) ground-mounted and rooftop solar plants on vacant land near Electricity Board offices. Apart from this, the state government was also working to install rooftop solar systems on 50,000 houses across the state by 2026-27. Till date. 4,444 applications have been received under this scheme.

Government Measures 

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was taking measures to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by properly utilizing its resources. These measures include rationalizing electricity subsidies and staff. He added,  “The power project agreements signed by the Electricity Board were under review, and loans taken at high interest rates would be reassessed. This would help the Board repay loans at lower interest rates and reduce its debt burden. It would play an important role in making the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited self-reliant.”

He further said, “The state government was committed to safeguarding the interests of employees and for their betterment and the government was regularly providing them the financial benefits. He appreciated the efforts of the Electricity Board’s officers and employees, who worked diligently to complete this project.

Himachal is currently power surplus based on the Hydro generation in the state, making it the state with the highest share of non-fossil fuel energy in India.