The setting up of Himachal Pradesh's largest solar power plant in Pekhubela, Una district will immensely contribute in strengthening the economy of the State and is expected to be dedicated to the people within two months of laying the foundation stone. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the stone for this 32 MW ambitious project on 2nd December, 2023, and has set a deadline for completion of the project before the first week of February, 2024.
The project, spanning 59 hectares, involves the installation of 82,656 solar modules, contributing to the state's commitment to becoming a green energy hub by March 31, 2026. Emphasizing the broader impact, the Chief Minister said that this initiative will not only address the state's power needs but also significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Awarded construction work on 19th May, 2023, the Pekhubela Solar Project is set to generate 66.10 million units of electricity annually. The power generated will be transmitted through a 132 KV double circuit Line-in and Line-out of Rakkar-Tahliwal transmission line, covering a distance of 1.88 km.
This substantial project is expected to curtail 2532 tonnes of carbon emissions annually while fostering employment opportunities to the locals. Apart from this, the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) has been assigned a task of installing 500 MW of solar power within two years in the state.
The funds have been arranged for setting-up of 200 MW, while the tender process for an additional 40 MW is in its final stage with plans for 100 MW solar power projects in the preparatory phase, said Sh. Sukhu. Presently, HPPCL manages 3,275 MW capacity in hydro and solar power projects.
Having completed four projects of 281 MW capacity, an additional five projects of 690 MW were currently under construction. Detailed Project Reports for four projects of 272 MW have been approved, while investigations are underway for ten projects with a combined capacity of 926 MW.
"In second phase of Rs. 680 Crore Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgar Start-up Scheme, the State Government is considering integration of green energy with employment generation, offering a 40 percent subsidy to young individuals of the State for establishing solar power projects ranging from 100KW to one MW capacity.
This initiative will not only promote the use of green energy but also contribute significantly to environmental preservation and creating self-employment opportunities," reiterated the Chief Minister.