Kaza to have solar power project

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 18

An agreement has been signed between Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to form a new joint venture corporation (JVC) named Himachal Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Ltd to set up a solar power project in Kaza.

The agreement was signed between managing director, HPSEBL, PC Negi on behalf of the state government and managing director, SECI, in the presence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here today.

A pilot solar wind hybrid power project of 2.5 mw will be set up at Rangrik in Kaza to be completed by October 2017. The project will be first of its kind in the country, which will synchronize solar, wind and hydroelectric project with the grid supply with the help of large energy storage system.

This project will benefit 12,000 habitants of Rangrik, Kaza, Tabo, Losar, the Pin valley and other nearby areas. The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Chief Minister in June 2015. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 30.72 crore out of which 50 per cent of the share will be provided by SECI and 50 per cent by the HPSEBL.

The project is expected to generate 4.41 million units annually.

Apart from this project, solar parks, solar power projects and other projects in the renewable sector will also be set up in other parts of the state. The Chief Minister said the project, apart from hydel power generation in the state, would add to the additional power and would open up more avenues in solar and wind power sector.