J-K to soon have solar power policy: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir will soon have a solar power policy with the government turning its focus towards green energy sources, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today.
"The interest of investors in the New and Renewable Energy (N&RE) sector is highly encouraging and it will get a further boost through the J&K State Solar Power Policy, which is in the offing," the chief minister said during a presentation on the solar power potential in the Ladakh and Jammu regions of the state at a meeting chaired by him.
Omar said that harnessing of green energy in the state had received a fillip under his government with the generation of solar, thermal and wind power now getting due attention along with plans for hydroelectric projects.

He said that while the State Power Development Corporation was working on medium and mega hydroelectric projects, the department of science and technology was looking after the implementation of micro-power projects, including those in the N&RE sector.
"The target before the government is to transform J-K from an energy deficit state to a power sufficient one in seven to 10 years," Omar said, adding that projects under Joint Venture, IPP and PPP mode which have already been approved by the government would augment the indigenous production of hydroelectric power in the state.
The meeting discussed how Ladakh region's solar power generation potential was estimated at 12,000 MWs and also dealt with proposals for new solar power projects in the Jammu region.