DW BUREAU / Shimla

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today here said that a 2 Megawatt solar power plant has been installed to ensure and improve the power supply in the tribal region of Kaza. He appreciated the efforts of the officers and employees of the Electricity Board, who worked diligently to complete this project. He said that within a few months, the plant would be fully operational with the addition of a 1 MWh battery storage system.

The Chief Minister stated that the state government was focusing on maximizing the use of solar energy to make Himachal Pradesh a 'Green State'. To support this EV charging stations were being set up in various areas based on demand. He said that the government has also approved the installation of 18 Megawatt ground-mounted and rooftop solar plants on vacant land near Electricity Board offices. Apart from this, the state government was also working to install rooftop solar systems on 50,000 houses across the state by 2026-27. As of now, 4,444 applications have been received for this scheme.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government was taking measures to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant by proper utilization of resources of the state. These measures include rationalizing electricity subsidies and the staff. He said that the power project agreements signed by the Electricity Board were under review and loans taken at high-interest rates would be reassessed. This would help the Board repay loans at lower interest rates and reduce its debt burden. It would play an important role in making the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited self-reliant.

He further said that the state government was committed to safeguarding the interests of employees and for their betterment and the government was regularly providing them the financial benefits.

(editor@dailyworld.in)