Himachal Pradesh Allows Non-Himachal Pradesh Solar Power Generators to Establish Projects

It looks like that Himachal Pradesh is acting in letter and spirit to make the state truly the first ‘Green State’ of India by the middle of this decade. In a new but significant move, Himachal Pradesh’s nodal agency for renewable energy programmes – Himurja – has now decided to allow power producers from outside Himachal Pradesh also to develop ground-mounted solar power projects. The capacity that they are allowed to set up could range between 1 MW and 5 MW.

As per reports only those power producers were allowed to set up solar power plants upto 5 MW in the Himalayan state that were based in Himachal Pradesh only. With an objective to harness the solar potential of the state, the government is looking to attract solar players from outside state also to take interest in solar power projects in Himachal.

Recently, the Himachal Pradesh government has obligated Himurja to allot 100 MW of solar power projects in current fiscal. The thrust of the state is presently on solar power and faster adoption of electric vehicles.

Hence, a tender has been issued where Himurja has invited bids to set up ground mounted solar for capacities ranging between 250 KW to 5 MW in the state either on private land or leased land. Himachal Pradesh government has kept 30 MW of the capacity reserved for the Himachal Pradesh players while keeping the rest 70 MW open to all interested solar power generators.

Recently, the state government held that it islooking towards Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to develop multiple solar projects that will help the government to supply green and clean electricity to consumers at economical rates. PSUs and big private players are expected to participate in RE projects. SJVN will be developing five solar power projects in the state of capacities ranging from 12.5 MW to 112.5 MW.