In a major step in enhancing the green energy generation capacity in the State, Chief Minister Dr. Himanata Biswa Sarma on June 14 laid the foundation stone for a 25-MW capacity solar power generation project on the premises of the Namrup Thermal Power Station in Dibrugarh district.(see pic)
A joint venture collaboration between the Assam Power Generation Corporation and Oil India Limited, the project will be spread across 108 acres of land and is likely to cost ₹115 cr. The solar project, approved by the State Cabinet on August 19, 2022, is projected to produce 50 million units of electricity every year and its construction is expected to be completed by July 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sarma compared the demand for power in the State when he assumed office in 2021 and now. “From 1,800 MW in 2021, it has increased to 2,500 MW owing to the increased number of industries and electrification of unelectrified villages across the State. Assam produces a mere 419 MW power resulting in purchase of around 2100 MW of power,” he said.
“Initiatives such as the solar power project at Namrup will augment the State’s power generation capacity and will reduce power purchased from outside the State,” he added. He said that seven solar power projects are functional in the State which account for 175 MW of power generation. The Chief Minister said that the State aims to produce around 3,000 MW of solar power by 2030.
