- New light of self-employment that shows intact energy
- Efforts to make Himachal a green energy state are starting to bear fruit.
- Revenue worth lakhs of rupees from Sher-e-Punjab solar plant in Jandhru Khurd, Sarkaghat.
(Mandi News) Sarkaghat (Mandi). Successful efforts to generate electricity from renewable energy have brought a new light to self-employment. The government’s solar energy policy has created new revenue possibilities by establishing solar energy projects in dry lands while finding ways to produce electricity at cheaper prices.
Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, the state government is moving towards making Himachal a green energy state, significant results of which are now visible.
Punjab Singh Tapwal, advocate of Jandhru Khurd village of Sarkaghat sub-division of Mandi district, has created a new source of income of Rs 2-3 lakh per month by setting up a renewable energy based project with subsidy under of the government’s solar energy policy.
Punjab Singh Tapwal has installed a 500 kilowatt solar power plant on 8 bighas of barren land.
Punjab Singh says he always dreamed of doing something for his village. To make it a reality, a solar power plant was installed in the town.
He had applied online for a solar power plant as per Himachal government’s solar energy policy. The government has provided him with a 500 kilowatt solar power plant. Vacant land that had been abandoned for years was identified to establish the plant.
Farming could not be done on this land. In addition, there was also the terror of monkeys and wild animals. He established a solar power plant on 8 bighas of land. Thanks to this, the land was used properly and they also began to earn good income.
Solar energy is a renewable source of green energy and is also better for environmental protection. Punjab Singh said he had earlier also applied online twice but was unsuccessful.
Now the current government has made the process of installing solar plants easier. The single window system has made it very easy to apply. The time needed to set up a solar project is now also decreasing.
Punjab Singh said that he had applied for it in April 2024. For this he took a loan from the Central Bank of India Sundernagar.
The Himachal Pradesh Power Department also helped in the loan process and the plant was ready for commissioning on June 4. Its commissioning was completed on July 25, 2024. It did not face any type of difficulty in this entire process. The cost of setting up the plant is approximately Rs 1.70 crore.
He said the electricity produced at the plant is currently sold at Rs 3.75 per unit. It has sold electricity worth Rs 39,000 during the first five days of the month of July, Rs 1.73 lakh in August and Rs 1.92 lakh in September.
He said he expects annual revenue of Rs 24-28 lakh from this project. The total cost will be recovered in 8-10 years and there will be good revenue and net profit in the next 15 years.
Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, he said promoting use of solar energy by the state government is a commendable step. With continued encouragement, more people will adopt this project.
Solar power plants have been installed in Mandi district – Arun Sharma, Superintending Engineer, Electricity Department, Mandi
Solar power plants have been installed at Sadhwani, Bari-Gumanu, Talyahad, Rao, Luhnu Byla, Kipar, Sada Aut, Patrighat, Bhambla, Bobar Jadol, Jaidevi, Kalohad, Bina Kalohad, Jandhru Khurd, Khudla, Bhadrawad of Mandi district . The government is purchasing the electricity produced from these at the rate of Rs 3.75 per unit. All possible help is being provided to the applicant for setting up the plant. – Arun Sharma, Superintending Engineer, Electrical Department, Mandi
Emphasis is laid on proper use of solar energy in Mandi district – Apoorva Devgan, Deputy Commissioner of Mandi
In the regional market, emphasis is placed on the proper use of solar energy. So far around 6.86 MW of electricity is produced in 16 solar plants in the district. People are being encouraged across various departments for green energy production.-Apoorva Devgan, Deputy Commissioner Mandi.
