DW BUREAU / SHIMLA

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Monday laid the foundation stone of an 1 MW solar power plant at Dhanwas in the remote Pangi Valley in Chamba district.

The project, estimated at a cost of Rs 10.50 crore, is scheduled for completion before November.

The Chief Minister directed officers to expedite the construction process and ensure timely completion of this vital infrastructure.

Once operational, the solar power plant will guarantee uninterrupted power supply to all 19 Panchayats of Pangi Valley, even during the harsh winter months.

The project also includes a 500-kilowatt battery storage system to provide electricity during nighttime, effectively eliminating load shedding and bolstering the region's power distribution network.

Spread over 2.2 hectares, the plant will feature 2,400 solar panels dedicated to clean energy generation. The Chief Minister emphasized the government's focused efforts on harnessing renewable energy to improve the quality of life in remote and far-flung regions.

He reaffirmed the state's commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a Green Energy State by March 2026.

He said "this project is a testament to our resolve to promote green energy and ensure reliable infrastructure in the tribal and remote areas of Himachal Pradesh". The Chief Minister announced Rs 25 lakh each for the construction of four Mahila Mandal Bhawans in Karyas panchayat and Rs one lakh each for purchasing necessary equipment.

(editor@dailyworld.in)