Solar power project inaugurated in Punjab village near Indo-Pak border

A 2.10 MW solar power project, costing Rs 16.40 crore, was inaugurated in village Chhina Bidhi Chand near Indo-Pak border. Punjab’s New & Renewable Energy Minister Bikram Singh Majithia inaugurated the project. The project was set up by an NRI Ranbir Singh Chhina.

“Solar energy is one of the most abundant energy sources in our state, which averages around 300 sunny days per year and now the time has come to take full advantage of that potential to provide better access to clean energy and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.

According to PTI, Majithia said keeping in view the ever increasing response to state government’s efforts to promote renewable energy, a new “land on lease” scheme has been launched and in less than two weeks period around 5,000 acres of land has been offered by active or passive farmers and NRIs, which would be further given to investors on 30 years lease for Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000 per year per acre.

Majithia said in just two years period, the solar power generation has been enhanced 25 times as earlier it was 9 MW and now crossed 225 MW in the state. The minister said 24 new projects of 229 MW capacity and 65 MW rooftop projects with an investment of Rs 2,100 crore were all set to be started soon. He expressed confidence that by 2017, the Punjab will touch 1,000 MW renewable power generation in state.

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