Punjab today achieved another milestone in terms of solar power sector when the Deputy Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal inaugurated the largest single location solar power plant in the state with capacity of 31.5 MW here at village Mirpur Kalan. It is important to mention here that the plant has been built by Hindustan Power with facilitation from various agencies of Punjab Government especially PEDA & PSPCL.Addressing a huge gathering on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the establishment of this solar power plant would act as the initiator of further growth in solar power sector in the state. He also said that those farmers who have given their land for this Rs. 200 crore project would get Rs. 50000 per acre which would witness further increase by 5 percent every year. Giving more details , he said that in a duration of few years, the investment in the solar power sector has increased to the very high level of Rs. 8000 crore and the solar power generation has reached 1000 MW.
Divulging more, S. Badal said that in the next 5 years each of the 12000 villages in the state would be equipped with solar lights besides other amenities such as-100 percent cemented streets, drains, water supply, and sewerage. He listed Shagan scheme, health insurance for farmers and traders, Atta -dal as a few of the many developmental initiatives undertaken by the SAD-BJP government.The Deputy Chief Minister also lambasted Congress and said that Captain Amarinder Singh cannot recount a single progress oriented project & AAP is a party of no do -gooders devoid of any vision. Taking on fourth front, S. Badal said that it's leaders are ready to lend their services to the highest bidder.Speaking on the occasion, the New and Renewable Energy Minister, Punjab, S. Bikram Singh Majithia termed the inauguration of this plant as a great day and congratulated PEDA for this shining achievement. He said that Mansa has become a hub of solar power and would lead the way for more developments in this sphere.Throwing light on the initiatives undertaken in the solar power sector, S. Majithia said that 7 lakh households have been provided with the solar lights and 1500 villages are dependent solely on the solar power. He also divulged that Punjab attracts most investments in solar power sector from point of view of area.
Disclosing more, he said that the SAD-BJP government has installed solar lights in 1000 villages at a cost of Rs. 100 crore and also that Punjab has occupied no.2 position in the country in net metering. He announced that soon a 5 MW solar power project would be established on a canal in the state. He expressed confidence that clean solar power plays a key role in lessening the impact of CO2 emissions thereby ensuring clean environment. The Minister also challenged AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal to highlight even a single achievement in any sector in Delhi.Among others present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder, MLA (Mansa) Prem Mittal, MLA (Budhladha) Chatin Singh Samao, EX-MLA and Chairman Punseed Punjab Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Chairman District Planning Board Bathinda Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Vice Chairman PEDA Kulwant Singh Keetu, Chief Executive PEDA Dr. Amarpal Singh, Director (PEDA) Balour Singh and Chairman Hindustan Power Ratul Puri.