Assam aims to generate 3,500 MW of solar power by 2030: Himanta

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the state has set a target of generating 3,500 MW of solar power by 2030, marking a decisive push towards clean energy and self-sufficiency.Inaugurating a 70 MW solar power plant at Khudigaon in Dhubri district’s Bilasipara area, Sarma said govt would implement development projects on govt land cleared of encroachments, ensuring employment generation and boosting local economy. “Today, our solar capacity has reached 680 MW and by Apr we will touch 750 MW, steadily advancing towards a sustainable, clean energy future,” Sarma said in a post on ‘X’ after inaugurating the solar park. “Assam’s solar energy target is 3,500 MW by 2030!” he added.The new project at Khudigaon has been jointly developed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Navratna CPSE SJVN Ltd, and the Assam Power Development Corporation Ltd (APDCL). Built at a cost of over Rs 350 crore, the plant will generate 141 million units of electricity annually, while reducing nearly 1.15 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions, the chief minister’s office said.Speaking to reporters, Sarma stressed the state’s rapid progress in solar power. “At one point of time, we had no solar power projects. Today, we are generating 680 MW of solar power. Another 50 MW project being implemented by SJVN at Borsolla in Sonitpur district will be completed by Apr, and we will reach 730 MW then,” he said.The CM also underlined the govt’s policy of linking eviction drives with development. “Our aim is to clear govt land of encroachments and implement projects on those lands. This will generate employment and uplift local economy,” he added.He said eviction would be undertaken whenever projects are planned to prevent re-encroachment. “If we leave the evicted land without any activity, there is a chance that encroachment will happen again. So, we will clear govt land as and when projects come,” Sarma said.