CM Saini bats for solar tubewells across state

In a step towards green energy adoption in agriculture, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed officials to connect all agricultural tubewells to solar power in a phased manner, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

Chairing a review meeting, the Chief Minister asked the Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) to identify five-acre sites in every district to solarise at least two agricultural feeders.

“A solar power plant should be installed on about 300 acres of land of Ganni Kheda Gram Panchayat near the 220 kV substation in Raiwali village of Panchkula. This plant will supply solar power to all agricultural tubewells of the district,” Saini said.

He also suggested installing solar panels on vacant land at colleges, DC offices, the Pinjore market terminal and bus stands in Panchkula. The structures should be designed to double as Kalyanam Mandapams so they can be used for social functions as well.

It was also decided to install solar panels on mandi sheds of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board and warehouses of the Haryana Warehousing Corporation to supply power for agricultural needs.

Additional Chief Secretary of Power, AK Singh, informed that since the launch of the PM-KUSUM scheme in 2018–19, over 1.58 lakh solar pumps have been installed in the state.

A target of 70,000 new solar pumps has been set for FY 2025–26, with a budget of Rs 600 crore earmarked.

“Under the scheme, the cost of 3 to 10 HP solar pumps is Rs 1.41 lakh. Of this, 25% is contributed by the farmer, 30% by the Centre and 45% by the state government,” Singh explained.