Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today asked the Science & Technology (S&T) Department to undertake harnessing of solar energy in a big way to supplement the energy requirements of the State.Chairing a review meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) and Science & Technology Innovation Council here today, the Chief Minister said Jammu & Kashmir has a fair potential for developing solar and wind energy which if harnessed adequately would rid the State of its energy deficiency.Mehbooba Mufti asked the concerned Department to come up with projects in this regard and see that these are executed on the ground at the earliest.Minister for Social Welfare and Science & Technology, Sajad Gani Lone was also present in the meeting.On the occasion, the meeting was informed that the mandate of JAKEDA for taking up of solar power plants has been enhanced from two megawatts to 10 megawatts.
It was also informed that 25 sites have been identified in the State for setting up solar power plants valuing around 41 megawatts.Under the Grid Connected Rooftop Power Plants Scheme, the meeting was informed that the Department has fixed a target of setting up plants upto capacity of 450 megawatts by 2022. Also a wind energy plant of six megawatts capacity is being set up at Bidda in Reasi district at a cost of Rs. 45 crore for which the land acquisition is being pursued.On the functioning of Science & Technology Innovation Council, the meeting was informed that its primary objective has been popularisation of science, experimentation and research.The meeting was informed that the Department has signed MoU with the Indian Institutes of Integrative Medicine for setting up two mega biotech parks at Kashmir and Jammu. Also a Regional Science Centre is being proposed by the Department to be set up at Srinagar, the meeting was informed.Financial Commissioner, Planning & Development and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas; Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta; Commissioner-Secretary, Science & Technology, Muhammad Ashraf Mir; CEO, JAKEDA, Mr. Shafaat and other officers were present in the meeting.