Shimla: Endeavoring to promote green source of the energy, Himachal Pradesh has commissioned projects of capacity of 1,422.5 kWp.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, in a meeting of HIMURJA today, said the projects include 200 kWp at Baru sahib, 10 kWp at Rancer Island in Kangra, 426 kWp at various police stations, 350 kWp at IPH department building in Kangra, 82 kWp for individuals at Spiti, 100 kWp at HP secretariat, Shimla and 100 kWp at HP High Court. The Solar Photovoltaic power plants under installation were at Fair Lawn, Shimla of 100 kWp, Kibber, 10 kWp and HPU, Shimla 50 kWp etc.
Taking a step further, the state government developing the Shimla and Hamirpur cities as solar cities. Final master plan for development of Shimla and Hamirpur cities as solar cities had already been approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.
To install 20 kWp Solar power plant at the Ridge, approval was awaited from Heritage Committee and 1790 SPV home lights for slums around Shimla were in process of distribution.
The state government has also initiated to tap energy from the wind and developing wind energy plants in Dalsah in Kullu, Bharmour in Chamba, Arsu in Kullu, Dalhousie in Chamba, at Kalp, Moorang and Pooh in Kinnaur, Kaza, Keylong, Lingti in Lahaul and Spiti, Dharamsala in district Kangra and Chopal in Shimla district.
Aiming to promote clean renewable source of energy in the form of Solar Photovoltaic lights (SPV), the government providing 70 percent subsidy as per the guidelines of the MNRE, Singh said. “the people opting for grid connected roof top solar panels/ power plant were being given 70 percent subsidy and the surplus power would be further sold to HPSEBL at the rate of Rs 5 per unit, which would also add to the income of the individual besides using the free solar power” he further added.
Virbhadra Singh said the solar power can also solve the problem of low voltage in the remote region of the state.
Virbhadra Singh said that under Solar Thermal Extension Programme, solar water heating system, solar cookers and concentrated solar heath technology based cooking system were being propagated and provided to the potential beneficiaries in the Pradesh. Under this programme 37285 box type solar cookers and, 761 dish type solar cookers were distributed to the beneficiaries.
Under Solar Photovoltaic Program 66967 SPV Street Lights, 23386 SPV Domestic Lights, 39246 SPV Lanterns and 1,222.5 kWp SPV power plants were installed till date in the State. In the 12th plan there was a target to install 10,000 SPV street lights, 2,000 SPV domestic lights, 1,000 SPV lanterns and install 1,000 kWp of Solar Power plant.
Agriculture and MPP Minister, Sujan Singh Pathania, Ajay Mahajan, Chief Secretary, P. Mitra, ACS, V.C. Pharka, Chief Executive Officer HIMURJA, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Director, HIMURJA, K.L. Thakur, and non-official members were present in the meeting amongst others.
