In a move towards enhancing renewable energy capacity in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a five MW solar power project in Bhanjal. The project, estimated to cost Rs 31 crore, will be developed by the HP Power Corporation Limited on nine hectares of land and is expected to be completed within eight months.
Sukhu, addressing a public gathering at the event, highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of the Bhanjal solar power project. “This project will generate 10.54 million units of power annually, resulting in an annual revenue of Rs 3.82 crore for the State Government,” he said.
The project will include the installation of 30,000 solar modules and will help reduce carbon emissions by 396 tonnes per year.
The Chief Minister also announced plans to significantly boost Una district's solar power generation capacity, projecting a total of 47 MW in the near future. He cited the recent dedication of the 32 MW Pekhubela solar power project, completed in a record time of eight months at a cost of Rs 220 crore. Additionally, work has commenced on a 10 MW solar power project in Kutlehar, with an investment of Rs 67.82 crore.
“With these initiatives, we are making significant strides towards our goal of making Himachal Pradesh a green state by March 31, 2026,” said Sukhu. He emphasized that solar power projects are crucial for achieving this vision and will contribute substantially to the state's revenue.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art fisheries training center at Deoli, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 5.17 crore. This center aims to provide modern training facilities for fishermen, enhancing their skills and knowledge in sustainable fisheries practices.
In his address, Sukhu underscored the State Government's commitment to make Himachal self-reliant. “We have allocated Rs 300 crore to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) for purchasing electric buses, and efforts are underway to convert the entire fleet to e-buses,” he announced. The state government is also providing an annual grant of Rs 800 crore to the HRTC to support its operations.
Reflecting on recent challenges, the Chief Minister acknowledged the impact of the five-month model code of conduct on developmental works. However, he assured the public that the government would take effective measures to accelerate development in the near future.