J&K installs 22.51 MW solar capacity on 6,121 buildings

Jammu and Kashmir is seeing positive outcomes from the installation of Solar Rooftop Systems (SRTs), with 22.51 MW of capacity now active across 6,121 buildings. The Union Territory administration reported this significant progress, highlighting the growing adoption of solar energy.

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Choudhary Yasin, Managing Director of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), provided further details, stating that 6,121 SRTs with a combined capacity of 22.51 MW have been installed across the UT.

Public interest in solar energy appears robust, with 12,206 consumers under JPDCL and 8,108 under Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) having already selected their vendors. Furthermore, 802 JPDCL and 690 KPDCL consumers have completed their payments for these installations. The cumulative application load received stands at approximately 78.51 MW for JPDCL and 103.35 MW for KPDCL.

These details emerged during a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, focusing on the progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSMBY). This flagship initiative aims to promote rooftop solar installations for households and solarise government buildings nationwide.

Taking stock of district-wise rooftop solar installations, the Chief Secretary underscored the necessity of time-bound implementation. He directed both JPDCL and KPDCL to ensure vendors complete installations swiftly. Dulloo also urged DCs to personally oversee the progress of rooftop solar projects in their respective districts, minimising delays for consumers. He reviewed application and installation statuses district-wise, seeking strategies from each DC to expedite execution.

To maintain quality and efficiency, senior officers from JPDCL and KPDCL were instructed to conduct field visits and inspect ongoing installations. Dulloo emphasised the importance of institutional leadership and encouraged discom employees to lead by example by adopting rooftop solar systems themselves.

Reviewing the solarisation of government buildings, a critical component of the PMSMBY, Dulloo described it as a prestigious initiative requiring utmost seriousness. He directed Deputy Commissioners to verify the functionality of each installed rooftop system and submit building-wise status reports by June 30, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) for necessary data.

PN Dhar, CEO of JAKEDA, provided a detailed overview of the government building solarisation component. He stated that a total of 70 MW capacity would be achieved through the Capex mode, with an additional 175 MW under the RESCO mode, collectively covering 22,494 government buildings in the UT. Under the Capex mode, 5,220 buildings (43.40 MW) have already commenced work, with work orders issued for 3,403 more buildings, expected to add another 34.39 MW to the UT’s power system. For the RESCO mode, 1,500 buildings (35 MW) will be completed by NHPC, and 8,000 buildings (175 MW) by JAKEDA itself.