Kashmir shines bright

Srinagar, Sep 22: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a significant achievement in the Valley's push towards renewable energy. Under the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar Yojana, KPDCL has completed 100 rooftop solar installations, marking a pivotal moment in Kashmir's transition to green energy.

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024, aims to install rooftop solar plants in one crore households across India by March 31, 2027. This ambitious scheme offers substantial subsidies and financial assistance to make solar energy accessible to a wider population.

To accelerate the adoption of solar power in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the Administrative Council, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has approved additional subsidies from the UT budget. This decision significantly enhances the attractiveness of the scheme, particularly for lower-middle-class and poor households.

Under the revised subsidy structure, a 1 kW system now receives a subsidy of Rs 36,000 on a project cost of Rs 55,000. For a 2 kW system, the subsidy has been increased to Rs 72,000 on a cost of Rs 110,000, while a 3 kW system now attracts a subsidy of Rs 94,800 on a project cost of Rs 159,500.

To further support this initiative, the government has arranged loan facilities from SBI at a 7% interest rate. Plans are also underway to onboard J&K Bank to provide easier access to finance, aiming to increase the scheme's penetration, officials said.

The impact of this initiative is already being felt by beneficiaries. Abdul Rashid, a Srinagar resident who recently installed solar panels, shared his experience: "The Surya Ghar Yojana has made it easy for us to embrace solar power. Our electricity costs have dropped significantly, and it feels good to contribute to environmental conservation."

KPDCL officials are optimistic about the programme's future.

An official stated, "The adoption of solar energy not only reduces electricity costs for consumers but also contributes to a cleaner environment for future generations. We are excited about this journey toward making Jammu and Kashmir a green energy hub."

The scheme's success is expected to gain further momentum with the completion of smart metering in rural areas. This development, coupled with evolving energy billing practices, is anticipated to motivate more consumers to install solar rooftop systems.

Looking at the broader picture, J&K has lagged in solar power generation capacity. As of October 2023, the J&K's total solar power capacity stood at 55 MW, a modest increase from 40.63 MW in April 2020. This slow growth contrasts sharply with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, which added 71 MW in the same period, highlighting the need for accelerated adoption in J&K.

The UT government has allocated Rs 53.53 crore for additional subsidies, targeting 87,000 consumers over three years. The Power Development Department will engage third-party inspectors for the solar rooftop systems to ensure quality.

On a national scale, the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has a total outlay of Rs 75,021 crore. It aims to provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month to participating households. The scheme is expected to add 30 GW of solar capacity in the residential sector, generate 1000 BUs of electricity, and reduce CO2 emissions by 720 million tonnes over 25 years.

Moreover, the initiative is projected to create around 17 lakh direct jobs in various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, sales, and installation.

As Kashmir continues its journey towards sustainable energy, the success of these initial 100 installations under the Surya Ghar Yojana marks a promising start. With enhanced subsidies, growing public enthusiasm, and the potential for significant environmental and economic benefits, the region appears poised for a solar-powered future.