Lahaul-Spiti is a district in Himachal Pradesh and solar power is now geared up to reach this valley. Rangrik village of Spiti is all ready to have 2.5 MW solar wind power project which is expected to benefit the 12,000 residents staying in the nearby areas.
The project is expected to be complete by October 2016. The total project cost is around Rs 31 crore and 50 per cent of this will be borne by Solar Energy Corporation of India and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The rest 50 per cent will be given by Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).
The project is first of its kind as it will have a mix of solar, wind and hydroelectric project with grid supply and this will generate 4.41 million units anually. The Himachal Pradesh government is also eyeing to use solar energy and the state is planning to set up solar parks, solar power and other projects that would help to save electricity in the longer run.
The National Solar Mission plans to have 100 GW of solar energy installed in the country by 2022, a target which will need help from all states.
By Atanu Kumar Das
