Huge renewable potential in Ladakh largely untapped
*Solar & small hydro contribution still limited
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 9: Electricity generation in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has shown a declining trend during the last five years with the total domestic production falling steadily from over 17,441.97 Million Units (MUs) in 2020-21 to 14,659.92 MUs in 2025-26 (up to January 2026). Similarly, no significant improvement in the electricity production in the Union Territory of Ladakh has been witnessed during this period.
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The information was provided by the Union Ministry of Power in the Parliament in response to a question regarding State/UT-wise electricity generation during the last five-years.
As per the official data, Jammu & Kashmir continues to rely almost entirely on hydropower generation, while no electricity generation from coal, lignite, gas or other non-renewable thermal sources has been reported from the Union Territory during the period under review.
The figures reveal that total electricity generation in Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a consistent decline in recent years. In 2020-21, 17,441.97 MUs of electricity were generated and during 2021-22, the generation witnessed a slight improvement to 17,489.83 MUs.
However, during 2022-23, electricity generation declined to 17,170.62 MUs and in 2023-24, the production of electricity dropped to 16,282.93 MUs. A further decline was witnessed during 2024-25 when generation was recorded at 15,595.82 MUs. During the year 2025-26 (up to January 2026), 14,659.92 MUs were generated.
As per the data, entire electricity generation in Jammu & Kashmir comes from renewable sources, primarily large hydroelectric projects, with a small contribution from small hydro and solar installations. For instance, in 2020-21, large hydro projects alone contributed over 17,002 MUs out of the total renewable generation in the UT, clearly reflecting the dominance of hydropower in the region’s energy mix.
In comparison, electricity generation in the Union Territory of Ladakh has remained extremely limited. The data shows that Ladakh generated 376.21 MUs in 2020-21, 405.98 MUs in 2021-22, 402.78 MUs in 2022-23, 388.48 MUs in 2023-24, 413.06 MUs in 2024-25 and 431.14 MUs in 2025-26 (up to January 2026).
As far as generation from renewable sources is concerned, J&K generated 9.42 Million Units of solar power during 2020-21 and 1.71 MUs in 2021-22. In the reply, no information has been given regarding generation of solar power during 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 (up to January 2026).
Regarding funds provided under major programs/schemes during the last five financial years and current year up to December 2025, the reply of the Power Ministry reveals that J&K was provided Rs 14.21 crore during 2020-21, Rs 51.78 crore during 2021-22, Rs 29.43 crore in 2022-23, Rs 77.35 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 127.02 crore during 2025-26 (up to December 2025).
Similarly, Ladakh Union Territory was provided Rs 18.41 crore during 2021-22, Rs 8.8 crore during 2022-23, Rs 6.57 crore during 2023-24, Rs 7.86 crore during 2024-25 and Rs 41.06 crore during 2025-26 (up to December 2025).
The data underscores the continued dependence of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Union Territories on hydropower for electricity generation, even as experts have repeatedly emphasized the need for diversification of the energy mix through solar, wind and other renewable sources, particularly in remote regions like Ladakh.
Given the vast hydroelectric potential in Jammu & Kashmir and the high solar potential in Ladakh, the figures have once again highlighted the huge untapped energy potential of the two Union Territories despite their strategic importance in India’s energy landscape.
“The declining trend in electricity generation in Jammu & Kashmir points towards the need for faster completion of under-construction hydroelectric projects as well as modernization of the existing power infrastructure. Several hydroelectric projects in the region have faced delays due to procedural issues, funding constraints and prolonged tendering processes, which have impacted the overall growth in domestic power generation”, official sources said.
At the same time, the extremely limited contribution of solar power indicates that the Union Territory has not yet fully tapped the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions such as rooftop solar installations, solar parks and micro-grid systems, particularly in far-flung and mountainous areas where grid connectivity remains a challenge.
The Ladakh possesses one of the highest solar irradiation levels in the country, making it highly suitable for large-scale solar power projects. However, the lack of adequate transmission infrastructure and logistical challenges has slowed down the pace of renewable energy development in the cold desert region.
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