Leh: Chairman, CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson today chaired a review meeting at the Council Secretariat to assess the status of the 25 MW Solar Power Project at Taru, which includes a 20 MW/50 MWh Battery Storage System under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Tsering Angchuk, Administrative Secretary PDD Vikram Singh Malik (IAS), DC/CEO LAHDC Leh Santosh Sukhadeve, Deputy General Manager (Projects) SECI, Chief Engineer Generation Leh, Xen PDD and other concerned officials.
SECI officials informed that the project contract has now been awarded to M/s Prozeal Green Energy, following the termination of the previous contract, and that survey work is currently underway.
While the approved project duration is 36 months, SECI assured the Council of its efforts to complete the project ahead of schedule.
The meeting also reviewed recent developments including the execution of the lease deed and the opening of a dedicated LAHDC Leh bank account for the project.
Expressing concern over the delay in implementation, CEC Tashi Gyalson stated that the timeline mentioned in the original MoU has already lapsed.
He cautioned that continued delays could lead to the cancellation of the land allotment. SECI requested an amendment to the MoU and assured that timely execution would now be ensured.
The CEC directed SECI officials to visit Leh at the earliest to address all pending ground-level issues. The CEC also reviewed the status of the 220 kV Phyang-Disket transmission line.
Dr. Aparup Paul, GM RECPDCL, informed that site mobilization is expected within the next couple of days and that work will begin by April 15.
He added that a delay in cost escalation approval may affect timelines. The CEC assured full support from the Council and said that the matter would be taken up with the concerned ministry in the Government of India.
Discussions were also held regarding the extension of excess power supply from the Mini Hydro Project Chulunkha to Diskit and the early completion of the 220 kV transmission line from Leh to Nubra. The issue of providing CSR funding to LAHDC Leh through REC/RECPDCL was also taken up.
The installation of rooftop solar systems for commercial consumers was discussed as a measure to promote sustainable energy adoption.
The meeting also focused on several LREDA-related matters. Concerns were raised about the operation and maintenance of decentralised off-grid solar power plants installed by LREDA in remote villages and hamlets.
It was decided that the energy generated from these plants would be paid for by the PDD to ensure proper operation, maintenance, and manpower deployment.
Regarding the Mini Hydro Projects, it was informed that five out of six projects commissioned by LREDA are currently operational.
However, the existing interim tariff of Rs. 2 per unit is inadequate to cover O&M costs. To address this, the meeting approved providing grant-in-aid support for their continued functioning.
A proposal by LREDA to set up a 1 MW solar project at its campus through self-investment was also discussed.
The project, approved by the governing body of LREDA, will be executed with an on-grid setup, and the meeting also approved the related Power Purchase Agreement with the PDD.
CEC Tashi Gyalson reiterated the Council’s commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure in the region and emphasised the need for timely and efficient execution of all planned initiatives.
It was also decided in the meeting that in unelectrified areas such as Dipling and Zingchan, surveys to be conducted to assess feasible solutions, either by extending grid lines or by establishing dedicated solar lines.
Similarly, in other uncovered and unelectrified areas across the district, surveys have been carried out, and the exercise to connect these regions through grid lines to ensure reliable electricity access.
