Himachal Pradesh is steadily emerging as a frontrunner in green energy generation, with the state government accelerating projects in hydropower, solar, and other renewable energy sectors, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday.
He stated that Himachal has vast potential in hydropower and solar energy, which can not only meet the state’s own electricity needs but also position it as a model for energy self-reliance and sustainable development. The state’s annual power requirement is around 13,000 million units, and the government aims to meet over 90 percent of this demand through renewable sources.
Under the Chief Minister’s vision, the state is focusing on small hydropower projects up to 5 MW capacity along with large-scale solar expansion. In the past three years, seven small hydropower projects (17.25 MW) have been started, 12 projects (23.80 MW) completed, and 18 projects (47.90 MW) sent for approval. Additionally, 76 new applications totaling 75 MW are under process.
The government has also approved five solar parks with a combined capacity of 501 MW and multiple solar projects totaling 212 MW. A 200 MW solar plant is planned on barren land in Damtal of Kangra district. Several solar projects, including Pekhubela, Bhanjal, and Aghlor, have already been completed in record time.
So far, 728.4 MW of solar projects have been allotted to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, with 150.13 MW already under implementation. Under a “First Come, First Serve” policy, 547 investors have been allotted 595.97 MW of ground-mounted solar projects, while power purchase agreements for 403.09 MW have been signed.
The state has also launched the Green Panchayat Programme, under which 500 KW solar plants are being installed in all panchayats. Twenty percent of the revenue generated will support welfare initiatives for orphans and widows at the local level.
To improve power supply in remote tribal regions, battery energy storage systems are being installed in villages of Pangi in Chamba district. In high-altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti district, off-grid solar systems have been installed in remote villages such as Mudh, Langza, Hikkim, and Komic, while a 2 MW solar plant has been set up in Kaza.
The government is also promoting emerging green technologies, including green hydrogen, compressed biogas, and geothermal energy. A green hydrogen mobility station is being developed in Chamba, while a 1 MW green hydrogen plant is coming up in Nalagarh of Solan district. Additionally, the country’s first state-supported biochar plant is being established in Neri of Hamirpur district.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
