Assam sets 3,500 MW solar power target by 2030; CM inaugurates 70 MW plant in Dhubri

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the state has set a target of generating 3,500 MW of solar power by 2030, underscoring the government’s push towards renewable energy and power self-sufficiency.

Inaugurating a 70 MW solar power plant at Khudigaon in the Bilasipara area of Dhubri district, Sarma said Assam has made significant progress in expanding its solar capacity over the past few years.

“At present, Assam’s solar power generation stands at 680 MW. By April, we will reach around 750 MW, moving steadily towards a clean and sustainable energy future,” the chief minister said.

The project has been jointly developed by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Navratna CPSE SJVN Ltd, and the Assam Power Development Corporation Limited (APDCL).

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the project was constructed at a cost exceeding 350 crore and is expected to generate about 141 million units of electricity annually. It will also help reduce carbon emissions by nearly 1.15 lakh tonnes.

Addressing reporters after the inauguration, Sarma said the project would strengthen Assam’s journey towards self-reliance in power generation.

He added that a 50 MW solar project being developed by SJVN at Borsola in Sonitpur district is likely to be completed by April, which will take the state’s total solar capacity to over 730 MW.

The chief minister also reiterated the government’s policy of utilising government land cleared of encroachments for development projects.

He said such initiatives would prevent re-encroachment, generate employment and boost local economies.

“If cleared land is left unused, there is always a risk of encroachment returning. That is why we plan to implement projects as and when land is cleared,” Sarma said.