Union Ministry of New & Renewal Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned 30000 LED Solar Home Lights and 20013 LED Solar Street Lights for J&K under JNNSM special package against the proposal of 129863 SHLs and 20013 SSLs submitted by the state’s Department of Science and Technology.It is worthwhile to mention here that Jammu and Kashmir has tremendous hydro, wind and solar energy potential and the Department of Science and Technology has the mandate for harnessing and utilization of New and Renewable Energy sources for catering to the needs of the people with focus on un-electrified villages and hamlets and other deficit areas, besides harnessing the potential of Science and Technology as instrument of socio-economic change.The State Science and Technology Department has two wings viz Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) and Jammu and Kashmir State Science, Technology and Innovation Council (JAKSSTIC).
JAKEDA has been nominated as Nodal Agency for implementing all the programmes of Union Ministry of New and Renewal Energy (UMNRE) in the State for promotion and implementation of projects aimed at meeting the energy requirements in general and un-electrified areas in particular by harnessing new and renewable energy sources such as Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Small Hydro Power (up to 25 MW) Bio-Energy (biomass/bio-wastes: agricultural/rural/urban/industrial) and New Energy Sources (hydrogen, geothermal, tidal).
In the border districts of Ladakh region, the S&T Department is implementing the programmes through Ladakh Renewable Energy Development Agency (LREDA) and Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA) respectively.
JAKEDA was initially providing solar home lighting systems and solar lanterns to the general masses of the state under different programmes of MNRE. After the launch of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, the work has been increased manifold which includes development of power plants both off-grid and grid-connected, solar water heating systems, . Besides, the government has given a mandate to JAKEDA to implement the programme of construction of mini and micro hydro projects up to 2 MW station capacity in the state.JAKEDA is implementing various Centrally and State funded innovative schemes and programmes in every nook and corner of the State for the benefits of the people which include providing Smokeless Chullhas, setting up of Gobar Gas Plants, Distribution of Energy Saving Devices, construction of Mini and Micro and Small Hydel Power (SHP) Projects (up to 10 MW capacity) and up-gradation of Water Mills, .
JAKEDA is also carrying out the water resource investigation and assessment for development of Mini Hydel Projects (MHPs) up to a capacity of 2MW in various areas of the State which are being implemented in a phased manner under Independent Power Producer (IPP) mode. So far, 26 sites aggregating 41.85 MWs have been allotted to the producers, while as, 60 more sites aggregating 87.35 MW are under the process of allotment.The MNRE has approved the proposal for enhancing the capacity of Small Hydel Projects (SHPs) from 2 MW to 10 MW in the State. Accordingly, the JAKEDA will, soon, submit fresh proposals to the MNRE for the development of SHPs under the Prime Ministers Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).Under the Remote Village Electrification (RVE) Programme, JAKEDA has submitted a proposal for providing 105666 LED Solar Home Lighting systems (SHLs) and 36118 LED Solar Street Lights (SSLs) to the MNRE under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).Under the Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Power Plants Scheme, JAKEDA has been given a target to achieve 450 MWs till ending financial year 2022, of which 54 MW are to be achieved during the financial year 2016-17.
JAKEDA is setting up 100 MW Solar Park at Samba in Jammu Division for which 600 acres state land has been identified. The documentation of the proposed land is in process and will be transferred to the concerned Department for its development. A proposal for development of Solar Park project together with the central financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh has also been submitted to the MNRE for approval.To harness the wind energy, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), which is an autonomous institute of MNRE, has identified a 25 MW potential windy site at village Bidda in District Reasi of Jammu Division. The project will cost an amount of Rs 40 crore approximately and the MNRE has agreed to provide Rs 9.5 crore for the development of the project in the first instance. The arrangement has been made to exploit the available potential of 6 MW at the site in the first phase as a pilot project under Wind Demonstration Scheme.