Officials in Uttarakhand plan to build 1000 solar-powered villages



According to an official familiar with the matter, the Uttarakhand government plans to build 1000 solar-powered villages to make them self-sufficient under its new solar power policy, which could be implemented soon.

R Meenakshi Sundaram, secretary, energy and non-conventional energy, confirmed the plan but said, “I can’t share much about it since the new solar power policy is yet to be finalised. We will consult with stakeholders and relevant departments before bringing it to the cabinet.”

The Uttarakhand energy department released a draught of the “Uttarakhand State Solar Policy-2022” on November 18 this year, inviting public comments and 
recommendations.

“Under the draught policy, Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) will facilitate the complete solarisation of 1000 villages across the state. By incorporating solar into the rural economy, these solar villages aim to improve the reliability and quality of power supply, boost rural income, strengthen education and health services, and create job opportunities. These villages will serve as models not only for the state, but also for the nation. The solar villages will focus on four areas of intervention: “powering villages through community solar installations, powering and strengthening institutional facilities, powering livelihood through decentralised productive appliances, and powering agriculture and agro-based MSMEs,” said another senior official from the energy department who did not want to be identified.

He added that the policy also encourages solar plus storage solutions to encourage self-consumption in the solar villages identified.

“UREDA, in collaboration with the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), will support skill development for strengthening local service infrastructure through existing state training and skilling programmes, other relevant central government programmes, and related schemes,” he added.

According to officials, the state has a solar energy potential of up to 2000 MW.

The draught policy estimates a capacity of 600 MW for large projects, 250 MW for residential projects, 750 MW for commercial and industrial projects, 350 MW for institutions, and 50 MW for agriculture out of the total 2000 MW.

The current solar policy is aimed at hastening solar deployment through utility-scale projects. The state has achieved approximately 575 MW under the current solar policy by 2022. “In the future, the state intends to harness the potential of renewables in meeting its jobs, growth, and sustainability objectives,” the draught policy’s preamble states.

According to the draught, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) will create provisions for all interests and obligated consumers to procure clean electricity from renewable energy sources at pre-determined tariff rates, also known as ‘Green Tariff,’ and UERC will amend ‘Green Tariff’ regulations to allow all electricity consumers to opt for green energy.

According to the draught policy, UREDA will establish a land bank to facilitate the identification, aggregation, development, and allocation of land for solar power plants.

The Uttarakhand Solar Power Land Allotment Committee will oversee the land allocation process (USPLAC).

“The state government also wants to promote solar manufacturing facilities to boost economic growth and create jobs in the state, and will provide incentives to new manufacturing facilities that choose solar energy,” the statement continued.

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Dr. Kirti Sisodhia

Content Writer

CATEGORIES Business Agriculture Technology Environment Health Education

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