Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today asked the officers to explore the possibility of harnessing solar energy to augment the power supply in the State.
The Deputy Chief Minster was addressing officers during a review meeting to explore the possibilities of having solar energy as a viable replacement to the electric power.The meeting was attended by Chairman State Electricity Regularity Commission (SERC), Mr Basharat Dhar, Commissioner Secretary PDD, Mr Dheeraj Gupta, Development Commissioner Power, Mr Gul Ayaz, Chief Engineers of various wings and representatives of Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI).The Deputy Chief Minister said the officers should come up with comprehensive proposal to tap and harness the solar energy as has been done by the Indian Railways at Katra. He said by doing so the State would be augmenting the electricity with the viable and cost-effective alternative, which would also ensure a major part of the budget being spent on power sector gets saved.Dr Singh while referring to the initiatives of the Centre, said that the Prime Minster and the Union Minister for Power are very keen to develop solar energy as a viable alternative due to its cost effectiveness and being eco-friendly. He said various states of the Country are exploring the solar energy and J&K should also explore the means and ways of harvesting solar energy on a bigger scale.