Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has ranked third among States and Union Territories in the country in the solarisation of government buildings, with 8,181 buildings equipped with rooftop solar systems having a cumulative installed capacity of 85.8 MW, officials informed Minister Satish Sharma during a review meeting on Tuesday.
Sharma, who holds the portfolios of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology, reviewed the progress of renewable energy, science and technology initiatives being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology, the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JKSTIC).
Officials informed the meeting that under the CAPEX model, 3,388 government buildings have been solarised with an installed capacity of 46.8 MW, while work on the remaining approved buildings is at different stages. Under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, work orders have been issued for 1,360 buildings against a target of nearly 8,000 buildings.
Reviewing the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Component-B, the Minister was informed that 4,876 of the sanctioned 5,000 solar-powered agricultural pumps have been installed, with the remaining 15 under implementation.
The meeting was also informed that around 250 MW of rooftop solar capacity has either been installed or is under installation on government buildings, while JAKEDA has added 125 MW of grid-connected solar power. Nearly 5,500 households have been covered under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy scheme with 33 MW rooftop solar systems, while over 70,000 solar street lights, 15,000 solar home lights and rooftop systems on 2,214 government schools have been installed over the past three years.
Officials said seven small hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 35.25 MW have been commissioned. Besides, 58 hydropower projects with a cumulative potential of 323.90 MW have been identified, while 32 projects with a capacity of 62 MW were awarded during 2025.
Sharma directed the concerned agencies to expedite the execution of hydropower projects, particularly in remote and hilly areas, to improve access to clean energy.
The Minister also reviewed the progress of science and innovation infrastructure projects. He was informed that the Sub-Regional Science Centre at Lal Mandi, Srinagar, is about 85 per cent complete, while work is also progressing on the Science Innovation Dissemination Centre.
The meeting further reviewed biotechnology projects, with officials stating that the Industrial Biotechnology Park at Kathua has been completed and its operationalisation has begun in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu. Construction of the biotechnology park at Handwara has reached around 85 per cent completion.
Sharma directed officials to resolve pending issues and complete ongoing projects within stipulated timelines. He also reviewed science popularisation initiatives, sponsored research programmes, science talent promotion and other innovation-related schemes being implemented by JKSTIC.
Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Babila Rakwal, Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA, P.R. Dhar, and other senior officers attended the meeting.
