Principal Secretary, Planning/Forest Ecology and Environment Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal discussed the issue of acquisition of land for the proposal of five GW Solar Power Projects at Pang and Kharnak, Leh.

In the meeting, the Principal Secretary said that the five GW Solar Power Projects at Pang and Kharnak were prestigious ones for UT Ladakh and the administration would leave no stone unturned to see it commence as soon as possible. He said that Ladakh has a huge potential to generate solar energy, not only to meet its demand but the needs of the country as well. 

He said that only once we completely shift from fossil fuel energy to renewable alternatives can Ladakh be truly carbon neutral. He added that the Rs. 50,000 crore Solar Power Project is of national importance not just because it will offset our carbon footprint but will also meet India’s international obligations. 

Secretary, Power Development Department/Animal, and Sheep Husbandry, Ravinder Dangi, apprised the Principal Secretary about the progress on the project in Pang. He informed that the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), has completed the field survey and discussions have also taken place with all the stakeholders. He further added that in the initial assessment it was observed that the maximum population living in the area was eager for the Solar Power Project to take place. Discussions were also held with SECI to employ locals in the skilled and semi-skilled sectors, apart from regular maintenance jobs at the Solar Power Project, he added. 

Earlier, Director, Power Systems SECI, S.K. Mishra apprised the Principal Secretary about the details of the Solar Power Project. Principal Secretary then directed Director SECI to station a contact person in Ladakh. 

The meeting was attended by Secretary PDD, Ravinder Kumar; Chief Conservator of Forest/Chief Wildlife Warden Ladakh, Preet Pal Singh; Deputy Commissioner/ CEO, LAHDC, Leh, Shrikant Suse; ACR, Leh, Shabbir Hussain and Director, Power Systems SECI, S.K. Mishra.