Telangana Targets 1,000 MW Solar Power Through SHGs, Empowering Women

The Telangana government has set an ambitious target of generating 1,000 MW of solar power through self-help groups (SHGs) under the Indira Mahila Shakti Scheme, as part of its efforts to promote women's empowerment and sustainable energy.

During a meeting with the district collectors, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu reviewed the progress of the initiative and outlined measures to expedite its implementation. He highlighted the government’s vision to transform the lives of one crore women by providing interest-free loans and urged officials to support SHGs in utilising these loans effectively to create sustainable business ventures, with solar energy projects playing a key role.

To achieve the solar power target, officials have been directed to identify 4,000 acres of land, prioritising government lands, tribal lands under the Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) Act, and areas managed by the Endowments and Irrigation Departments. The Deputy CM emphasised the importance of facilitating financial support through banks and noted that a mutual agreement between the Energy and Rural Development Departments has already been finalised. Tenders for the installation of solar power plants, invited by the Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation (REDCO), are expected to be finalised soon.

Deputy CM Mallu proposed innovative approaches to solar power generation, such as utilising high-rise buildings in urban areas like Hyderabad and unused hilltops in the Rangareddy district to preserve government lands. He also stressed the dual benefits of solar projects in tribal areas, which include boosting agricultural activities through drip irrigation and enhancing the livelihoods of tribal communities. Officials were directed to focus on lands in the Godavari basin, from Achampet to Adilabad, where abundant resources could yield significant benefits for tribals.

The initiative also includes integrating government schemes under employment guarantee, tribal welfare, and SHG programs with profitable farming activities like avocado cultivation on tribal lands. The government has already distributed over 6.67 lakh acres of land to tribal communities. Additionally, to foster women entrepreneurship, the Deputy CM suggested allocating 4-5 acres of land in each constituency to establish mini-industrial areas that would provide SHGs with opportunities to launch and grow businesses.

The officials were instructed to encourage farmers to participate in the PM-KUSUM scheme and assist them in applying through the Telangana REDCO portal. This will allow them to generate up to 2 MW of solar power. The Deputy CM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving eco-friendly power solutions while empowering women.