In Power Deficient Kashmir, People Slowly Switching Over To Solar Energy

The KPDCL, which supplies power to consumers in Kashmir said it has supplied 1 MW power to consumers under the scheme, reports Mir Farhat.

Srinagar: As people in Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with electricity curtailment, the consumers are now switching over to solar energy with people having installed worth 1 MegaWatt rooftop solar plants.

Under the flagship 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana', the government provides subsidised solar power plants for domestic and commercial consumers.

A Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) spokesperson stated that the scheme has generated wide consumer interest, with 249 rooftops already equipped with solar installations, achieving a total capacity of 1 MW.

All government buildings in the union territory have been directed to install solar energy plants for saving electricity and also for availing seamless power supply.

"1200 installations are currently underway, which are poised to achieve a target of 3.5 MW installed capacity within the next two months,” a KPDCL spokesperson said.

Initially, people were reluctant to install the subsidised plants. Since the installation of smart meters, and the hiking of electricity usage charges by the government, people are switching over to solar power.

"Consumers usually opt for solar systems with 4 kWp. 1407 consumers have finalized agreements with empanelled vendors," KPDCL spokesperson said.

The government provides subsidy under the scheme to the beneficiaries. Officials said that so far Rs 1 Cr in Central subsidy to 110 domestic beneficiaries have been directly transferred into their accounts.

"The numbers show the growing acceptance and adoption of the scheme," he said.

Every year, the Kashmir valley grapples with power crisis, especially during winter months when the power consumption increases while the electricity generation decreases in the government owned hydro-power projects.

The switch-over has reduced the power bills and provides clean energy to the consumers.

Bashir Ahmad, a former engineer of the KPDCL said that he has installed a solar power plant in his house which has reduced his power bills.

He said that the solar plants are successful but must have a continuous supply of electricity.

"Consumers in the Srinagar city and towns which have continuous power supply and smart meters installed prefer solar plants now as it saves their bills and gives uninterrupted supply to the people," he said.