No solar feasibility study conducted in Baramulla: Govt

Srinagar, Feb 11: The government on Wednesday informed the Legislative Assembly that no feasibility or resource assessment had been conducted in Baramulla district to evaluate its potential for large-scale solar power generation.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Javid Hassan Baig, the Minister in charge of the Power Development Department (PDD) said that while Baramulla town is surrounded by mountains, no formal assessment has been undertaken to determine its solar generation capacity.

The reply noted that approximately 3000 kanal land was required to establish a 100 MW mega solar project.

The matter has been taken up with the district administration Baramulla for the identification of suitable land banks for the development of large-scale solar power projects.

On ongoing initiatives, the government said rooftop solar (RTS) systems are being installed under the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana for residential consumers.

Against a target of 2225 installations for 2025-26, 1053 rooftop systems have been installed in Baramulla so far.

The government said awareness camps are being conducted by DISCOM Sub-Divisional Officers to promote adoption of solar energy and highlight electricity bill reduction benefits.

It said that all feasible government buildings in the district were being solarised under Capex and RESCO modes.

Under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energyís Model Solar Village programme, Delina village in Baramulla has been proposed for development as a Solar Model Village.

The government said that the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) had engaged AHAsolar Technologies Ltd and Fichtner Consulting Pvt Ltd to prepare a pre-feasibility report for a floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project at the Lower Jhelum Hydroelectric Project reservoir in Baramulla.

The site has been found suitable for a proposed 5.0 MWp/4.2 MW floating solar PV project at an estimated cost of Rs 18.5 crore, including taxes, with an estimated Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of Rs 3.91 per unit.

However, the government said that given the availability of comparatively cheaper power in the market, the projected LCOE may pose challenges for JKSPDC in securing buyers for the generated power.

According to official figures, 451 government buildings, three institutional sectors, and 76 residential sectors had been equipped with solar power plants.

So far, 3.83 MW capacity has been installed, while 1.36 MW is under installation.

The government said all feasible government buildings in Baramulla were expected to be solarised by the end of the next financial year.

Earlier, JAKEDA installed 360.17 kW of rooftop solar capacity in the domestic sector and 115 kW in private institutions with up to 70 percent central financial assistance.

Under the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, residential consumers installing on-grid rooftop systems through empanelled vendors are eligible for subsidies up to Rs 94,800 for systems up to 3 kW, including central and UT shares. Subsidies for 2 kW and 1 kW systems stand at Rs 72,000 and Rs 36,000.

The government said that JAKEDA had identified 12 additional small hydro power (SHP) sites in Baramulla district.

Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been prepared and the projects will be tendered in a phased manner under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) mode.