Punjab Government to Establish 66 Solar Power Plants

The Punjab government has unveiled a plan to set up 66 solar power plants across the state, each with a capacity of 4 MW, as part of its ongoing efforts to bolster clean energy infrastructure. This initiative, led by Minister of New and Renewable Energy Sources Aman Arora, was discussed in a high-level meeting attended by Power Minister Harbhajan Singh and senior officials from relevant departments.

The solar power plants, once operational, are expected to collectively generate around 390 million units (MU) of electricity annually. This project is also anticipated to result in annual savings of approximately INR 136 crore through feeder-level solarisation.

Furthermore, the initiative is set to attract investments of about INR 1,056 crore, which will also generate employment opportunities for both skilled and semi-skilled workers in the non-conventional energy sector.

The state government has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote the use of renewable energy. Punjab has set an ambitious target of generating 21 percent of its total power capacity from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this goal, the state has been actively encouraging the installation of solar power projects, particularly rooftop solar panels on residential and commercial buildings. 

The government has also streamlined the approval process for solar projects and implemented a Net Metering Policy that allows consumers to sell excess solar power back to the grid.

These initiatives, spearheaded by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), are part of the state's broader strategy to increase renewable energy capacity and ensure a sustainable energy future.