Jharkhand Govt targets to solarise 200 villages by 2023

Government is taking important steps to provide impetus to the development of the rural economy and generation of employment, Giridih is being developed as a Solar City

Ranchi: An enterprising target to solarise a total of 1000 villages has been set under the ambit of the Jharkhand State Solar Policy 2022.

The government has taken a huge step forward in this regard. It aims to solarise 200 villages of Jharkhand in the first phase by 2023. This will give a boost to the rural economy,improve the quality and reliability of solar power, enhance rural income generation, strengthen education and health services and provide a host of employment opportunities by integrating solar into the rural economy. To take this forward Giridih is being developed as a solar city. Here a total of 17 MW for domestic consumers and 5 MW for commercial sector rooftop power plants, 1 MW for solar street lights and 18 MW ground mounted solar power plants have been targeted. In the first phase, the process of installing 5 MW rooftops for domestic consumers is going on.

Electricity to the villages through community based solar installations

Under the umbrella of the Solar Policy, the government aims to empower the rural pockets as well as the villagers residing there. To secure this efforts are being made to do away with all the deterrents, so that centers like health centers, schools, and police stations can be provided with electricity from solar energy. Along with this, solar energy can be used in shops and agricultural related pursuits of the villagers. The government also aims to empower MSMEs operating in the rural areas.

Special emphasis on employment generation*

Under the policy, work will be done to give priority to villages with high consumption rates of electricity. The government aims to identify medium-sized villages or smaller clusters. Also, more emphasis will be given to creating agriculture related job opportunities in the villages.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren has got a priority list drafted that has villagers from every district based on a set criteria that are to be converted into solar villages. The same list of priority villages has been shared with the Deputy Commissioners. Thrust is being given to explore the possibilities and potentials of using solar energy for facilitating livelihood opportunities in the villages.

It has also been directed to identify and map land banks in villages having suitable government and private lands for community solar installations and focus on meeting the demand of the villages. Keeping in mind the farmers, instructions have been given to focus on the use of solar energy in minor irrigation as well.