PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The initiative of the State government to promote solar energy and create employment opportunities has started yielding results. Under the Mukhyamantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana (MSSY), 1,132 solar power plants have been installed in the State till June 2026. The total capacity of these plants is 210 MW.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has assigned the department a target of developing 250 MW of solar power capacity under the MSSY. Under the scheme, solar power plants of 20, 25, 50, 100, and 200 kilowatt capacities are being installed by local residents. Applicants are being provided with all the benefits under the MSME Policy -2023.
The data shows that with 369 solar power plants of 69,050 KW capacity Terhi leads the table of districts in the State. Uttarkashi has 227 plants (43,660 KW) , Champawat 144 plants (28,200 KW), Haridwar 86 plants (19,900 KW), Pauri 88 plants (15,440 KW), Chamoli 72 plants ( 11,725 KW) and Almora has 32 plants with 5,600 KW capacity. Solar projects have also been installed under the scheme in Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
Apart from enhancing solar power generation and promoting green energy, the MSSY is also creating self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in rural and mountainous areas of the State. Projects established under the scheme are providing direct and indirect employment to about 3,500 people.
CM Dhami said that the MSSY is an important initiative to connect Uttarakhand’s youth and residents with self-employment. “Our effort is to increase local entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in sectors like solar energy. This is not only promoting green energy, but also strengthening economic activity in the mountainous regions and preventing migration,’’ he said.
