Himachal Govt & Oil India Join Hands to Develop New & Renewable Energy Sources

Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Issues Tender for Supply of 5 MW Solar Project

The government of Himachal Pradesh and Oil India Ltd have entered into a partnership for the development of a framework for cooperation in harnessing new and renewable energy sources (NRES) in Himachal Pradesh.

The MoU between the state government and OIL was signed in the presence of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. The signatory of the MoU representing OIL was Director, Operations, Pankaj Kumar Goswami. The state government was represented by Harikesh Meena, Director, Energy.

Sukhu said that the oil firm would look at establishing floating solar plants in the state’s water reservoirs. FGround mounted solar projects will also be set up. A pilot project by OIL may also be in the works to generate green hydrogen and green ammonia. He further added that Himachal Pradesh boasts of abundant green resources had has ample potential for the development of green hydrogen. The HP government has taken various initiatives to exploit this potential. He directed the firm to send experts in the following week to undertake inspection of sites that could be favourable for the implementation of projects.

The partnership will look at development of NRES technologies with a focus on solar energy, greem hydrogen, wind energy, geothermal energy, compressed biogas.

The minister also said that such projects would pave the way for employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh and add to its economic prosperity. He said that Himachal Pradesh hopes to be the first Green Energy State of India by March 31, 2026 and OIL would help the state aid in this goal.

Himachal Pradesh has been actively setting up and encouraging renewable energy projects in the state. Himachal Pradesh’s nodal agency for renewable energy programmes – Himurja – recently decided to allow power producers from outside Himachal Pradesh also to develop ground-mounted solar power projects. The capacity that they are allowed to set up could range between 1 MW and 5 MW.