RAJYA SABHA
The Government
is implementing a programme for the electrification of villages
in the remote and difficult areas of the country. Under this
programme, renewable energy systems like solar photovoltaic
systems, small hydro units and biomass gasifiers are installed
in unelectrified villages to provide lighting and other services.
Almost all census villages in the state of Himachal Pradesh
are already electrified by conventional means. No village in
Himachal Pradesh has been electrified through solar energy during
the last three years and hence, no fund was released during
last three years for this purpose.
A potential of
150 KV has been estimated by HIMURJA for installation of decentralised
SPV systems in the remote areas of Himachal Pradesh during next
three years. The Government is also implementing a solar photovoltaic
programme, under which installation of solar lighting systems
like solar home systems, street lighting systems & power
plants is being supported. The SPV Programme is being implemented
in Himachal Pradesh through the state renewable energy development
agency HIMURJA. During the last three years, 5,000 solar home
lighting systems, 650 street lighting systems and 5,000 solar
lanterns, aggregating to 283 kWp SPV capacity, were installed
under this programme in the State. These systems were installed
mostly in remote and unelectrified households/hamlets.
During the current
year, the Government has allocated 3,000 solar home systems
and 200 solar street lighting systems to HIMURJA for installation
in the state under the solar photovoltaic programme. Financial
assistance of Rs.99.50 lakh has also been released in advance
towards these targets.
This information
was given by Shri M. Kannappan, Minister of State for Non-conventional
Energy Sources, in a written reply to a question by Shri Anil
Sharma in the Rajya Sabha today.
