Assam Aiming At Meeting 50% Of Power Demand Through Solar Energy By 2026: Himanta Biswa Sarma

“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 with Neyveli Lignite Corporation for a 1,000-MW project and have plans for another project of similar capacity,” Sarma said, after inaugurating a 25-MW solar plant at Lalpul in Udalguri district.

The chief minister had earlier said the present power demand in the state is 2,200 MW, out of which it is looking to generate 1,000 MW in the coming days. Assam meets most of its energy requirements by purchasing electricity from various players in the northeast and the rest of the country.

The Lalpul is the first solar power plant set up under the Assam Solar Energy Policy, 2017, in the ‘Build, Own, Operate’ model by the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd and Azure Power. Sarma said a similar project of 25-MW capacity 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 the pipeline, Assam will be generating 215 MW of solar power,” the chief minister said. He said an MoU will shortly be signed with Neyveli Lignite Corporation for setting up a 1,000-MW solar plant in the state.

“The Assam government will set up another 1,000-MW solar plant with our own funds after that,” Sarma added. He later tweeted that the focus on solar energy is 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.

“In our journey towards inclusive growth & development, we are ensuring environment preservation by initiating necessary measures,” Sarma said.?

(With PTI Inputs)