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India Plans 23 GW Solar PV For Jammu & Kashmir

RK Singh, the head of India's MNRE, hinted at issuing a 25 GW solar power tender at one go for Ladakh back in August 2018. Now, the ministry has elaborated on the plans with the final capacity being 23 GW. Under Phase-I, 2.5 GW of solar power capacity is planned to be deployed in Kargil, and 5 GW in Leh district. SECI is currently preparing a RfS. Pictured is the lake at Penzila Pass in Kargil district. (Photo Credit: District Administration Kargil, Government of Jammu and Kashmir).

Anu Bhambhani
  • MNRE has announced it will implement 23 GW of grid connected ultra mega solar power capacity in Jammu & Kashmir state
  • Tentatively, this capacity is planned to be constructed in Pang region in Leh and Zangla region in Kargil
  • Under Phase-I, 2.5 GW will be located in New Wanpoh and 5 GW in Hisar areas
  • SECI has been tasked with bringing out the tender and will issue RFS documents by December 15, 2018

The Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has come up with a grand plan of deploying 23 GW of grid connected 'ultra mega solar PV projects' in the state of Jammu & Kashmir's Leh and Ladakh regions. Under Phase-I, 2.5 GW of solar power capacity will be deployed in Kargil, and 5 GW in Leh district.

For now, the ministry plans to set up the capacity in Leh's Pang region and in Kargil's Zangla region. It  the 2.5 GW project is likely to be located in New Wanpoh and 5 GW in Hisar.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will issue the request for selection (RFS) documents by December 15, 2018.

Scope of work will involve setting up the projects and implementing the entire power evacuation infrastructure including substations and transmission lines till the drawl point. The government wants to issue a single tender to select project developer who will set up the projects and power evacuation infrastructure.

MNRE head RK Singh in August 2018 had said his government planned to bring out a bid to offer 25 GW solar power capacity in Ladakh at one go, considering the mountainous region has a potential for 35 GW of solar (see 25 GW Single Solar Bid For Ladakh?).

In January 2017, the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir said it is looking to develop 7.5 GW of solar power parks in Ladakh, with 5 GW planned for Leh and 2.5 GW for Kargil districts, as per a memorandum of understanding signed with the Government of India (see 7.5 GW Solar For Ladakh?).