Solar energy to be used in border areas: Minister

Under JNSEM,which was launched in November 2009,the ministry has already installed solar energy system in the Gurez valley and now aims to cover the entire India-Pakistan border.

“In the first phase,we have started with the India-Pakistan border. But soon we will cover the other border areas too,” he said.

According to Abdullah,television operated through solar energy could also help in educating farmers residing in such areas. “Similarly,we can also educate women on different issues through television sets.”

The minister pointed out that each year diesel worth Rs 1,200 crore is used to provide electricity to armed forces in Ladakh through generators.

“Efforts are underway to set up a solar power plant in the Ladakh sector and we are confident of completing the project in the next two years,” he said.

“Solar energy will bring down the financial cost on the maintenance of armed forces in Ladakh.”

In the first three years of the project,the Central government aims at generating 1,300 MW solar energy. “Our target is to generate 20,000 MW solar energy by 2022,” he said.

Under the JNSEM,the Central government will bear 90 per cent of the expenses for setting up solar plants,whereas the concerned state government will have to contribute only 10 per cent of the project cost.