Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Feb 8: Jammu and Kashmir has solarised 7,125 Government buildings and 16,799 households under various rooftop solar programmes, contributing to a cumulative installed solar capacity of 130.87 megawatts across the Union Territory, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26.
The Economic Survey says the UT’s renewable energy strategy focuses on solar, small hydro and biomass power, with support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), to meet rising electricity demand, promote clean energy in remote areas and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the Economic Survey, under the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana, launched on February 29, 2024, the Government is prioritising rooftop solarisation of public infrastructure and households. The Survey states that 22,494 Government buildings with a planned capacity of 270 MW are to be covered, including 12,994 buildings (70 MW) under the CAPEX model and 9,500 buildings (200 MW) under the RESCO model, with priority to education and health sectors. The Economic Survey notes that over 25 years these installations are expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 8.3 million tonnes.
The Economic Survey further says that 7,125 Government buildings have so far been solarised under the CAPEX budget, contributing 68.76 MW to the region’s renewable capacity.
On residential rooftop solarisation, the Economic Survey reports that out of 83,550 targeted households-39,500 in the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) area and 44,000 in the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) area-16,799 households have been solarised, commissioning 62.11 MW. Of this, 34.60 MW has been added in the KPDCL region and 27.51 MW in the JPDCL region, the Survey says.
The Economic Survey adds that 4,000 households have also been covered under MNRE’s Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar Power Plant Scheme.
According to the Economic Survey, on the recommendation of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the MNRE has approved a project to provide 200 free units of electricity to 2.21 lakh Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families under the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) model, and implementation is set to begin soon.
The Economic Survey states that under the PM-KUSUM scheme, 5,000 solar irrigation pumps have been planned with an 80 per cent subsidy, of which 3,717 pumps have already been installed.
On small hydropower, the Economic Survey says that 56 Mini Hydel Projects with a total capacity of 147 MW have been allocated under the independent power producer mode. Seven projects with a cumulative capacity of 35.25 MW have been commissioned, while 12 more projects totalling 21.45 MW are in the final stage of tendering.
The Economic Survey also notes that Jammu and Kashmir is implementing the Solar Power Policy (2013), Hydro Power Policy (2011) and Rooftop Solar Policy (2016) to meet its renewable energy goals.
The Economic Survey further says that during 2025-26, the J&K Science, Technology and Innovation Council conducted 70 science popularisation activities, sponsored 274 research and development projects worth Rs 23.50 crore, awarded 260 merit-based science scholarships, is establishing a Sub-Regional Science Centre at Lal Mandi, Srinagar, at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore, and is setting up two Industrial Biotechnology Parks at Kathua and Handwara with a combined investment of Rs 84.66 crore.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
