Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 17: In a significant development, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah has decided to set up country’s first ever 5000 Mega Watt solar power project in Ladakh region and approached the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh and district administration for identification of 20,000 acres of land.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in the recent past the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy decided to tap the solar power potential available in different parts of the country on a large scale by setting up of Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects. Accordingly, the Ministry deputed some senior level officers for assessing the potential for such projects.
The officers of the Ministry found Ladakh and Rajasthan feasible for setting up of first- ever Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects of the country. In case of setting up of such a project in Ladakh, the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah had a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
Thereafter, two rounds of discussions were held between the officers of State Government, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Union Ministry of Power. Even the matter was discussed between MNRE officers, Chief Executive Councilor-cum-Chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh and Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency, sources said.
“Now a formal communication expressing New and Renewable Energy Ministry’s desire to set up 5000 Mega Watt Solar Power Project in Ladakh region has been sent by the Joint Secretary, Tarun Kapoor to the Leh district administration”, they added.
When contacted, Joint Secretary MNRE Ministry, Tarun Kapoor told EXCELSIOR that Ladakh region has huge potential for solar power and Union Ministry wants to set up 5000 Mega Watt solar power project in the area. “I have asked the Deputy Commissioner Leh to identify land and prepare a pre-feasibility report by collecting the required information”, he added.
“Around 20000 acres of land is required for setting up of Ultra Mega Solar Power Project, which will be set up with the involvement of local agencies and would also generate employment as well as benefits for the local population”, he said in response to a question.
About the evacuation of power, Mr Kapoor said, “the Srinagar-Leh transmission line which was sanctioned by the Prime Minister few years back would not be able to evacuate power beyond 200 Mega Watt. It is being proposed that evacuation facilities may also be created simultaneously and large project be planned so that both these can come up simultaneously”.
Responding to query about the time to be taken for the setting up of Ultra Mega Solar Power Project, the Union Joint Secretary said, “the project would be set up in phased manner so that till the completion of entire 5000 MW project the proper evacuation facility also comes up”. “Setting up of solar power project takes less time as compared to the hydro electric projects as such the Ministry wants to tap solar power potential on large scale”, he added.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Leh, Simrandeep Singh said, “we will shortly identify the land and prepare pre-feasibility report as desired by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as the project would be of immense importance not only for Ladakh region but also for entire Jammu and Kashmir”.
In reply to a question, the Deputy Commissioner said, “Changthang area of the Leh district is the most suitable location for setting up of Ultra Mega Solar Power Project and 20000 acres of land would be easily available there”.
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