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Says it will accelerate Ladakh’s journey towards becoming carbon-neutral
Highlights direct benefits for hotels, guest houses across the region
Leh, September 19: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, today inaugurated the UT Ladakh Solar Rooftop Scheme for Commercial Establishments at the Conference Hall, Lt Governor’s Secretariat, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy transformation in the Union Territory.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor underlined that solar rooftops not only reduce operational costs through lower electricity bills but also cut carbon emissions, minimise dependence on fossil fuels, and harness Ladakh’s unique advantage of abundant and intense sunlight for high-efficiency energy generation. This shift from conventional energy to solar power, he said, will foster energy independence, strengthen sustainability, and advance the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making Ladakh a carbon-neutral region.
Shri Kavinder Gupta emphasised that the extension of this scheme to the commercial sector will be a game-changer for Ladakh’s hospitality industry. Hotels and guest houses, which have long depended on costly and polluting diesel and kerosene generators, will now be able to transition to clean energy—thereby reducing their carbon footprint, appealing to eco-conscious tourists, and improving their operational viability. “The UT Administration has introduced this exclusive scheme in response to the demands of the commercial sector, where high electricity tariffs have been a persistent challenge. Modeled on the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana—which benefits residential households—this scheme is designed to specifically support commercial establishments,” he said.
Earlier, officials from the Power Development Department (PDD) presented the salient features of the scheme, including eligibility norms, energy accounting mechanism, consumer growth projections, subsidy enhancement, capacity ranges and system limitations, metering protocols, monitoring systems, inspection procedures, and disbursement frameworks.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal, representatives from the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association, and senior officials of the PDD.
