Himachal emerging as leader in Green Energy – Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

SHIMLA 26 April, 2026

• Development of small hydropower projects in focus
• Government takes lead in tapping solar energy, alternative sources of green energy

Himachal Pradesh has immense potential for electricity generation in the hydropower and solar energy sectors. By harnessing this potential, the state could meet most of its own energy requirements and also benefit other states, becoming an example of energy self-reliance, sustainable development and environment conservator.
The state’s annual energy consumption is approximately 13,000 million units. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has set a target to meet more than 90 percent of this demand from renewable sources. To achieve this, under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, the state government is actively promoting the development of small hydropower projects, solar energy projects and non-conventional energy sources.
In line with Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s directions, the state government has accelerated the development of small hydropower projects – up to five MW capacity – in recent years. Over the past three years, seven small hydropower projects with a total capacity of 17.25 MW have been started, 12 projects with a of 23.80 MW have been completed and 18 projects with a capacity of 47.90 MW have been sent for approval.
Additionally, five projects of 12.65 MW have received technical approval, supplementary implementation agreements for capacity enhancement and other related approvals have been signed for seven projects of 25.7 MW. Another, 76 new applications for allocation of projects totaling 75 MW are being processed.
The Chief Minister has envisioned Himachal Pradesh as green energy state. To achieve this, effective policies have been initiated and successfully implemented and as a result various solar energy projects have been developed over the past three years. The state government has decided to establish five solar parks with a total capacity of 501 MW and various solar energy projects of 212 MW. A 200 MW solar power plant would also be set up on barren land in Damtal of Kangra district.
During the present government’s tenure, several solar energy projects have been initiated and completed in record time, including the Pekhubela, Bhanjal and Aghlor.
A total of 728.4 MW solar projects have been allotted to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. Of these, 120 ground-mounted solar projects with a capacity of 150.13 MW have already been initiated.
To ensure transparency, the state government has adopted a “First Come, First Serve” policy for allocating solar projects ranging from 250 KW to five MW. The electricity generated from these projects will be purchased by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board. So far, 547 investors have been allotted 595.97 MW of ground-mounted solar projects and power purchase agreements for 403.09 MW have already been signed.
The state government has launched the Green Panchayat Programme, under which 500 KW ground-mounted solar projects are being installed in all of the panchayats across the state. The 20 percent of the revenue generated from these projects will be used to provide assistance to orphans and widows in the respective Gram Panchayats.
The state government is also working to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in tribal areas. For this, Battery Energy Storage Systems of 400 KW each are being installed in Hilor and Dharwas villages of Pangi in Chamba district. On the directions of the state government, One KW solar off-grid systems have been installed in 148 households of remote villages, namely Mudh, Langza, Hikkim and Komic, of Lahaul and Spiti district under the Corporate Social Responsibility. A 2 MW solar power plant has been established in Kaza.
Under the state government’s policy to promote alternative energy resources, special efforts are being undertaken to establish green hydrogen plants, compressed biogas units and harness geothermal energy. In Chamba, the first green hydrogen-based mobility station is being set up and a one MW green hydrogen plant is being established in Nalagarh of Solan district.
Additionally, in Neri of Hamirpur district, an initiative has been taken to set up the country’s first state-supported biochar plant.