Seven Solar Projects Of 72 MW Under Evaluation: Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh (HP) Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently announced the state government’s plans to harness green energy at a large scale. He said that tenders had been invited accordingly to set up seven solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 72 M. These are now being evaluated. He further added that their work would be allotted to the concerned companies this month, (January) 2025.

Himachal Pradesh Ongoing Solar Project

He further shared details on the ongoing solar projects in Himachal Pradesh. He said, “Apart from this, a survey and investigation of 8 projects of 325 MW is ongoing. For the first time, the government was moving towards developing 200 panchayats of the state as ‘Green Panchayats’ in which 200 KV ground-mounted solar plants would be installed and the income from them would be spent on the development works of the Panchayat.”

The Chief Minister said, “In the solar energy sector, the 32 MW Pekhubela Solar Power Project in Una district was dedicated to the public on 15 April 2024 and in the six-and-a-half month period from April to October 2024, 34.19 million units of electricity were generated through this project, generating an income of Rs 10.16 crore. He said that apart from this, a 5 MW solar power project at Bhanjal in Una district has been started on 30 November 2024 while the construction work of the 10 MW Aghlaur Solar Power Project is also expected to be completed this month.”

Sukhu said, “The present state government is taking several steps towards making Himachal Pradesh the country’s first ‘Green Energy’ by 2026 so that there is no damage to the environment of the state. While harnessing green energy will help in environmental conservation, carbon emissions will also be reduced. Green energy sources are renewable and do not get exhausted, which ensures the availability of energy to future generations and plays an important role in reducing the ill effects of climate change.”

Other Renewable Energy Projects

The minister shared details on other renewable energy projects. He said, “Apart from this, a draft DPR of two tonnes per day capacity plant of compressed Bio-gas has been prepared. Apart from this, grid-connected rooftop solar plants and water heating systems will be installed in the State’s Bal and Balika Ashrams, Vridha Ashrams, and Rajiv Gandhi Model Day-Boarding Schools.”