Assam looking to meet half of power demand through solar energy by 2026: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the state is looking to meet 50 per cent of its power demand through solar energy within the next four years.

He said the state will be generating total 215 MW solar power shortly with plans afoot to increase it over the next few years.

            “We have set a target of meeting 50 per cent of our state’s power demand through solar energy by 2026. We will be entering into an agreement withNeyveli Lignite Corporation for a 1,000 MW project and have plans for another project of similar capacity on our own,” Sarma said after inaugurating a 25 MW solar plant at Lalpul in Udalguri district.
 
The chief minister had earlier said that the current power demand in the state is 2,200 MW, out of which the state is looking to generate 1,000 MW in coming days.Assam meets most of its energy requirements by purchasing electricity from various players of Northeast and the rest of the country
 
            The Lalpul first solar power plant set up under Assam Solar Energy Policy, 2017, in ‘Build, Own, Operate’ model by the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) and Azure Power. Sarma said another similar project of same capacity of 25 MW will be inaugurated at Boko in Kamrup district on Wednesday, while two more at Silchar and Nagaon are also coming up.
 
            “We had earlier inaugurated a 70 MW plant at Amguri. With commissioning of the other projects in pipeline, Assam will be generating 215 MW of solar power,” the chief minister said.
           
He said a MoU will be signed with Neyveli Lignite Corporation shortly for setting up a 1,000 MW solar plant in the state.
 The Neyveli Lignite Corporation (now called NLC India Ltd) is a ‘Navratna’ company under the Coal ministry.
 
            “The Assam government will set up another 1,000 MW solar plant with our own funds after that,” Sarma added.
 
            Sarma later Tweeted that the focus on solar energy was also to ensure a sustainable future.
 
            “Inspired by Adarniya PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s vision, we are committed to shift towards clean energy in next 5 years,” he wrote on the micro blogging site. 
 
“In our journey towards inclusive growth & development, we are ensuring environment preservation by initiating necessary measures,” Sarma added.