The Rajasthan government is intensifying efforts to enhance the state’s electricity infrastructure and ensure an uninterrupted power supply for both domestic and industrial consumers. Minister of State for Energy (Independent Charge), Hiralal Nagar, made these remarks while outlining the government’s ongoing and future initiatives to address electricity concerns across the state.
Nagar stated that the government has begun the process of establishing new grid sub-stations (GSS) to bolster the power distribution network. He further highlighted that special attention is being given to ensuring a consistent power supply to farmers, particularly during the critical crop irrigation season. To this end, the power department has been tasked with resolving electricity issues faced by residents and expediting agricultural connections, as well as setting up additional grid substations wherever needed.
“Resolving electricity problems for the common people is a priority for us,” Nagar said. “We have instructed the department to ensure farmers receive reliable power for irrigation and to speed up the issuance of agricultural connections, especially in areas where grid substations are required.”
In addition to these efforts, the government is implementing the feeder separation scheme to improve power supply in the state. Under this initiative, the Central government has sanctioned Rs 7,800 crore to assist in the development of the state’s electricity infrastructure, particularly in rural and agricultural areas.
As part of its long-term strategy to address the growing demand for electricity, the state government is placing a greater emphasis on solar power. Rajasthan is well-positioned to harness solar energy due to its vast land area and favourable climate, making it one of the top states for solar power generation in India.
The state government aims to generate 30 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by the end of FY25, with the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency. Rajasthan has an estimated solar energy potential of 142 GW, a vast capacity that the state intends to tap into fully. To this end, the government is working to meet the rising electricity demand, which has been increasing by 8-10 per cent annually. By 2030, the state aims to source 43 per cent of its total power demand from solar energy.
Last year, Rajasthan installed 15,195 MW of solar power capacity, contributing significantly to the state’s energy output. The state’s commitment to renewable energy continues to grow, and this investment in solar power is seen as a crucial step towards both economic development and environmental sustainability.
More Read
The state’s focus on renewable energy was further underscored during the recent Energy Pre-Summit, where Rajasthan signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 6.57 trillion with investors in the energy sector. The pre-summit event, held as part of the “Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024,” is scheduled to take place in Jaipur from December 9-11 this year. The MoUs cover a wide range of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, green hydrogen, hybrid systems, pump storage, battery storage, and green ammonia initiatives.
Officials indicated that Rajasthan has already signed MoUs for investments totalling over Rs 20 trillion with domestic and international firms through a series of roadshows in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and global locations such as South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. These agreements represent the state’s growing appeal as a hub for renewable energy projects.
In conclusion, the Rajasthan government’s concerted efforts to address electricity supply issues, combined with its bold investments in solar and other renewable energy projects, are expected to not only meet the state’s growing power demands but also position Rajasthan as a leader in India’s energy transition. With the state’s focus firmly set on expanding its solar power capacity, the government is determined to ensure that Rajasthan becomes self-sufficient in energy while also contributing significantly to the nation’s renewable energy goals.
