CM: Himachal will be able to harness 50 MW solar power in 6 months

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, August 7

Himachal will be in a position to harness around

50 MW solar energy in the coming six months. The state government is encouraging the youth to enter the solar power generation sector and earn livelihood for themselves. These projects will be allotted to bona fide Himachalis, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over a meeting of of the Power Department here today.

He directed officials concerned to expedite the ongoing work on solar power projects so that they were commissioned at the earliest and also identify sites for new projects. He emphasised the need to enhance solar power generation in the state. He said that a 32 MW solar project had been established at Pekhubela in Una district and 10 MW and 5 MW projects were under construction the in Kutlehar and Gagret Assembly constituencies.

The Chief Minister said that the power demand was increasing day by day and keeping this in view, solar power should also be harnessed along with hydroelectric power. “Solar energy is a clean and renewable source that reduces carbon emission and minimises reliance on fossil fuels. These solar power projects also need minimal maintenance and have a longer life span,” he added.

Sukhu said that climate change was the biggest challenge and green initiatives could play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of global warming. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting the green industry, which would play an important role in realising the government’s goal of making Himachal a green energy state by March 31, 2026.

He said that the government was also promoting the use of electric buses and it had been decided to convert the entire fleet of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses into e-buses.

Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Chief Minister’s Principal Adviser Ram Subhag Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretaries RD Nazeem, Devesh Kumar and Amandeep Garg attended the meeting.