30,000 solar rooftops planned across Jammu & Kashmir

To address energy deficits, the Jammu & Kashmir government is launching solar rooftop initiatives that provide households with subsidised renewable energy options.

In order to rely on solar electricity in power-scarce Jammu and Kashmir, the government is constructing solar plants on 4,108 government buildings, generating 35.2 megawatts. The government has begun putting solar power plants on all of its buildings, intending to install 30,000 solar-producing units on rooftops.

Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner and Secretary of Science and Technology, states that a total of 70 MW of grid-connected solar rooftops would be installed on government buildings, with an additional 238 MW under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) mode by the National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC) and the Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA).

People in Jammu & Kashmir experience power outages daily, with consumers demanding electricity, while the commercial sector suffers losses due to power outages. The Power Development Department (PDD) claims that 100 percent metering will ensure 24×7 electricity by increasing revenue generation and reducing transmission and distribution losses.

Given the power shortage, the government encourages residents to put solar power plants on their roofs to generate renewable energy. The government provides subsidised solar power plants to household consumers through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana project.

“A subsidy of Rs 33,000/kw is being given by the GoI, with an additional subsidy of ₹ 3000/kw by the UT government up to the installation capacity of 3 kw in favour of domestic consumers,” says H Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary, Power Development Corporation (PDD). Prasad states that financial organisations and banks are giving loans at interest rates of 7 percent for solar rooftop installations. He adds that the administration in Jammu & Kashmir has received 11,000 applications for solar plant installation, with 617 installations scheduled to be completed soon.

According to experts, solar power facilities require sophisticated metering and 24×7 electricity with grid connectivity to be successful. Jammu and Kashmir have yet to meet the aim of 100 percent metering, even though the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) financed by the Central Government is currently proceeding across the UT. Under the five-year initiative, contracting businesses have installed six lakh meters across the UT, with a 2026 deadline for comprehensive metering of all consumers.

Given the delayed implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo directed the government’s power distribution firms (Discoms) to increase communication and education campaigns for the scheme’s solar rooftop installation program. “Install around 30,000 solar rooftops across the districts of the UT. “The Discoms should designate nodal officers among their engineers to carry out these tasks,” states Dulloo.

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