MoU for generation of 7500 MW solar power signed
Jammu: In its yet another significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in energy generation, the State Government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India for implementation of Solar Power Projects of the capacity of 7500 MWs.
According to the statement issued to KNS, signing of memorandum was performed at a high level meeting of the senior officers of the State Government and MNRE, Government of India, chaired by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah here on Monday.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding Solar Projects of the capacity of 5000 MWs in Ladakh and 2500 MWs in Kargil possessing tremendous potential for new and renewable energy would be taken up for implementation.
The Union Joint Secretary, MNRE, Tarun Kapoor and the Jammu and Kashmir State Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Bipul Pathak signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the duo Governments.
Jammu and Kashmir Ministers, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mohammad Akbar Lone, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ministers of State, Vikar Rasool, Nazir Ahmad Gurazi and Feroz Ahmad Khan, Legislators, Syed Ahmad Rizvi, Tsetan Namgyal and Narboo Gyalsan, Chairman, Ladakh Hill Development Council, Kargil, Asgar Karbalai and Executive Councilor, Ladakh Hill Development Council, Leh, Mohammad Shafi Lassu, Union Secretary, MNRE, Dr. Satish B. Agnihotri, J&K Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretaries, Suresh Kumar, B. R. Sharma and B. B. Vyas and various Administrative Secretaries were present in the meeting.
The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy while highlighting the importance of the signing of MoU between the State and the Centre Government for harnessing of green energy from the Ladakh area said that this area possesses vast potential of solar energy. He said the signing of the MoU for its harnessing is an important landmark and the initiative would catapult the energy sector in Jammu and Kashmir besides bringing in economic revolution. He said Ladakh possesses the potential of 30,000 MWs of solar energy and today’s signing of MoU would be a vanguard step towards harnessing this potential.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that his Ministry has initiated various projects in Jammu and Kashmir to help the State to generate power from non-conventional resources available here. He said Government of India has flagged generation of new and renewable energy as an important sector and a target of producing 1,00,000 MWs of power through non-conventional resources of energy in the Country by 2022.
The Minister of State for Power expressed gratitude to Dr. Farooq Abdullah for the lot of help and assistance extended by his Ministry to Jammu and Kashmir for strengthening the energy sector and generating solar energy. He mentioned the help provided by MNRE for installation of Solar Power Plants in hospitals, educational institutions, ITIs and other institutions besides providing solar lights to the people in rural and far-flung areas. (KNS)