The Government of Himachal Pradesh has signed two agreements for setting up 250 MW of solar power projects in the state. The estimated cost of the projects is ₹10 billion (~$139.7 million).

The two companies that signed the deal with the Himachal Pradesh government are ReNew Power and CSE Development (India), Private Ltd.

According to news agency IANS, one pact was signed with ReNew Power for setting up a 150 MW solar project which is proposed to be commissioned by 2021, while the second was signed with CSE Development (India) Private Ltd for setting up a 100 MW project. The solar projects will be set up in Una and Kangra districts, respectively.

Confirming the deal, Prabhat Mishra, vice president, distributed solar business, ReNew Power told Mercom, “ReNew Power has signed an MoU with Himachal Pradesh government for setting up a 150 MW solar project in the state. The project is the company’s first large scale project in Himachal where we already have an operational solar rooftop project. It is envisaged to be commissioned in 2021, and we are in discussion with the state government for all the requisite clearances.”

As reported previously by Mercom, the state’s solar renewable purchase obligation (RPO) has been set at 7.25% and non-solar RPO at 10.25% for the financial year (FY) 2019-20.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, the state only has ~10 MW of large-scale solar projects in operation.

Recently, the Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) invited bids for the installation of solar projects at 312 middle schools located in 11 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The project installations will be executed under the state’s “Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan” program.

Image credit: Michal Klajban [CC BY-SA 4.0]

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.