In a significant step towards building confidence among local stakeholders regarding the upcoming mega solar power project at Pang, a crucial meeting was held on January 1 under the chairmanship of Vikram Singh Malik, IAS, Administrative Secretary of the Power Development & New and Renewable Energy Department, UT Ladakh. Officials from SECI, Powergrid, and DIHAR participated to formalize an action plan for creating a livestock-grazing-friendly pilot solar project in the Pang area.

The Secretary directed the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to work on the project’s modalities, with an emphasis on designing solar panels at a height that allows nomadic herders to graze their livestock freely beneath the panels without any disruption.

Additionally, the Secretary instructed the Revenue Department to identify a suitable two-hectare plot of land in the Pang area and conduct a joint survey with all stakeholders within the next 15 days. SECI has given in-principle approval to undertake the project.

To ensure progress, the Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD) urged SECI to expedite the necessary paperwork so the pilot project can commence in the next working season.

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Engineer of PDD, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Leh, senior officers from PDD and LREDA, scientists from DIHAR, and representatives from SECI and Powergrid.