Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the need to enhance solar power generation in the state. He presided over a meeting with senior officers of the Power Department on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister highlighted that a 32 MW Solar Power Project has been established at Pekhubela in Una district. Additionally, a 10 MW solar power project and a 5 MW project are under construction in the Kutlehar and Gagret assembly constituencies, respectively. CM Sukhu announced that Himachal Pradesh is set to harness approximately 50 MW of solar energy within the next six months.
A statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office stated, “Directions were given to the officers to expedite the ongoing solar power projects and commission these projects at the earliest, besides identifying new sites to set up solar power projects.”
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government is “encouraging the youth to enter the solar power generation sector” to “earn a livelihood for themselves.” He added, “These projects would be allotted to bona fide Himachalis.”
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CM Sukhu pointed out that the power demand is increasing daily, and solar power should be harnessed alongside hydel power to meet this demand. He emphasized that solar energy is a clean and renewable source that reduces carbon emissions and minimizes reliance on fossil fuels. These solar power projects require minimal maintenance and have a longer lifespan, he said.
Addressing the issue of climate change, CM Sukhu noted that “climate change is the biggest challenge” and that “green initiatives can play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of global warming.” He reiterated the state government’s commitment to promoting green industry, which will help mitigate the impact of climate change and support the goal of making Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by 31st March 2026.
Furthermore, the government is promoting e-vehicles in the state and has decided to convert the entire fleet of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses to e-buses, the statement added.
(WITH INPUTS FROM ANI)
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