Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir has vast potential of wind energy and wind masts have been installed at Bidda in Reasi, and Tatapani in Rajouri to tap this renewable energy, Union New and Renewable Energy Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday, according to an official spokesperson.
He also said places of wind energy potential in Ladakh region have been also identified.
Farooq Abdullah was speaking after inaugurated 50 KW solar photovoltaic power plant at Haj House, Rail Head here.
Installed over the rooftop of the Haj Complex, the Power Plant has been installed, under Jawahar Lal Nehru Solar Mission, at a cost of Rs 1.35 crore with Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy contributing 90 percent of the project cost. The ministry would also look after the operations and maintenance of the project for a specific period. The plant would provide uninterrupted power supply to people visiting Haj House for temporary stay and specially the pilgrims during Haj period.
Minister for Haj, Auqaf and Floriculture Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister for Housing and Horticulture Mr. Raman Bhalla and Minister of State for Science and Technology MrFeroz Ahmad Khan were also present on the occasion.
The solar power plant has been installed by Ministry of New and Renewable energy in association with the channel Partner M/S DD Solar Twenty Three India Private Limited a Bergen Group Company and Jammu & Kashmir Energy Development Agency.
Speaking on the occasion, Farooq Abdullah said that India has vast potential of renewable energy owing to its location and topography, adding that Union Government launched JawaharLal Nehru Solar Mission (JLNSM) in 2010 in the country to tap the solar energy. He said that the country has been producing over 13,000 MW solar power so far adding that it has set a target to produce one lakh MW by 2027. He said the solar energy system has received massive response in the metropolitan and other big cities where people are using it to meet daily household energy needs for heating, cooking, lighting and other purposes.
The Union Minister asked the people to avail benefits of MNRE scheme for which the Union Government has sanctioned huge amount under various programmes across the country. An amount of Rs 500 crore has also been exclusively earmarked for taping solar energy in Ladakh region, he maintained.
The Union Minister stressed the need for popularizing the use of solar energy, saying that being a clean and green source of energy it is also harmless to environment. He said that the government is contemplating to establish cluster of Renewable energy with industries in rural areas, which would also go a long way in power generation, besides generating employment.
Referring to production of silicon chips used in solar power plants, the Union Minister said that previously these chips were imported but now BHEL is going to establish plant to produce these chips in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Haj, Auqaf and Floriculture Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed expressed his gratitude to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy for sanctioning solar power plant for Haj House in the State, saying that installation of solar plant would provide round the clock power to the important building easing dependence on regular electricity supply. He said that the government was keen to utilize available Non-Conventional Energy sources in the State. He said that MNRE has given nod to various proposals mooted by the State government under MNRE programmes, which would make the state self-sufficient in power.
The Minister also thanked Union MNRE for sanctioning installation of off grid solar power plants at six places in the state with an aggregate capacity of 350 KW. The identified locations are Haj House Jammu A&B blocks, Faridiya College, Kishtwar, Government Degree College, Udhampur, Aquarium Bagh-e-Bahu, Government Degree College, Poonchand Government Degree College, Thanamandi.
Extending his thanks to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Bhalla said that selecting the places of public importance like Haj House, Aquarium Bagh-e-Bahuand Educational Institutions for installation of Solar plants was a right decision as the benefit would go exclusively to the people. He also advocated for having solar plants at the religious places and shrines to benefit the devotees.
Feroz Khan said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government has drafted new Solar power policy for the state under which the use of solar energy would be popularized among the people. He said many investors from the outside are showing interest in investing in the State under the sector. He thanked Dr, Farooq Abdullah for sanctioning Rs 500 crore package for establishing solar plants and green houses in Kargil. The establishment of green houses would get 50 per cent subsidy, he stated.
Keeping in view importance of solar home lights in remote and hilly areas of the state, Feroz pleaded for sanctioning 1 lakh more solar lights for which a proposal has already been submitted to Union MNRE.
Among others, Special Officer, Auqaf, Abdul Sattar, officers from JAKEDA, Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, besides prominent citizens were also present on the occasion.

Reader correspondent