In a significant advancement for Punjab’s renewable energy initiatives, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has successfully commissioned a new 50 megawatt (MW) solar power project. The project, installed by M/s SAEL Limited at Karamgarh village in Malout, has been synchronized with the 220 KV grid substation in Katorewala, marking a major milestone in the state's green energy efforts.
The state Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Tuesday announced the commissioning, highlighting that the solar power from this new project has begun flowing into the grid. Alongside this, four additional four MW solar power projects within Punjab, allocated to the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) at a tariff of Rs 2.748/kWh, are in various stages of completion.
Notably, the four MW project at Tarkhanwala village in Bathinda has already been synchronized with the PSPCL 66 KV Grid substation at Sekhon.
With these new additions, Punjab’s cumulative installed solar power capacity has now reached 2081 MW. The Minister also revealed that solar power projects, totaling 2850 MW, are currently under commissioning, indicating a robust pipeline of renewable energy developments in the State.
The newly-commissioned 54 MW of solar power projects are expected to generate approximately three lakh units of green energy daily. This solar power will be particularly beneficial during the daytime, supplying agricultural power to farmers across the State, thus supporting Punjab's vital agricultural sector with sustainable energy.
PSPCL's initiatives align with Punjab’s broader strategy to meet growing power demands through sustainable sources. In June 2022, PSPCL finalized agreements with solar power developers to procure 250 MW of solar power at a competitive rate of Rs 2.65/kWh, reflecting the state's commitment to affordable and clean energy.
Minister Harbhajan Singh reiterated the Punjab Government’s dedication to increasing the share of clean, green, and low-tariff renewable power. “These new solar power projects represent a significant step towards our goal of a greener Punjab,” he stated, adding, “We are addressing our power needs and contributing to the national objective of reducing carbon emissions.”
