SRINAGAR: Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir is set for further expansion in both hydropower generation and rooftop solar energy, with the Centre considering new projects, including Sawalkote, while major ongoing hydropower schemes on the Chenab river continue to make steady progress.
Agarwal made the remarks during a visit to the Seva Setu Abhiyan Camp organised under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Srinagar, where he reviewed the implementation of the rooftop solar scheme and interacted with stakeholders.
Addressing reporters, Agarwal said nearly 50 lakh people across the country have benefited from the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and that Jammu and Kashmir has recently achieved its first milestone of 100 MW under the programme.
“I am pleased that a good start has been made in Jammu and Kashmir. Once the momentum builds, rapid progress will definitely follow,” he said.
The Union Power Secretary said the UT had reached the “take-off stage” in rooftop solar adoption and that districts such as Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara were performing particularly well under the scheme, while efforts were underway to improve progress in other districts.
He said subsidy disbursement under the programme is fully portal-driven and beneficiaries are receiving central assistance directly without major hurdles. He added that issues related to streamlining the UT government’s top-up subsidy would be discussed with the Chief Secretary.
On hydropower development, Agarwal said the Centre, through the Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPPL), is implementing several major projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar.
“We are already working on big projects like Ratle, Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar. The projects are progressing well and we are receiving full support from the UT administration,” he said.
He said the Centre was also examining additional hydropower projects and confirmed that the Sawalkote project was under active consideration.
“Currently, discussions are ongoing regarding Sawalkote. We certainly intend to take up work on that project in the near future,” Agarwal said.
Responding to a question on Jammu and Kashmir’s dependence on imported electricity despite its estimated hydropower potential of around 14,500 MW, he said the ongoing projects would significantly improve the power scenario in the region.
“These projects will not only meet the demand of Jammu and Kashmir but will also contribute to the power requirements of the rest of the country,” he said.
Agarwal also noted that India has installed around 164 GW of solar power capacity, with states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh making extensive use of ground-mounted solar projects.
Earlier, during his visit to the Seva Setu Abhiyan Camp, Agarwal inspected various stalls and help desks and interacted with vendors providing services related to rooftop solar installations.
Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Mahmood Ahmad Shah, briefed the secretary on the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir and the initiatives being taken to facilitate public access to rooftop solar services.
The camp was organised to strengthen public outreach, improve citizen access to services and create awareness about the benefits of rooftop solar energy under the central scheme. (With inputs from KNO & PTI)
