Jharkhand to install 4 GW of solar power generation capacity in five years

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren recently unveiled the Solar Energy Policy 2022 for the state. Under this policy, Jharkhand targets installing 4 GW of solar power generation capacity from 2022-23 to 2026-27. This includes about 3 GW of utility-scale solar, 720 MW under distributed generation, and 280 MW under off-grid mode.

The chief minister said the state would explore and deploy solar capacity through schemes for solar parks, canal-top solar, floating solar, etc under this policy.

The policy provides a single-window system, payment security mechanisms, and land arrangements through land banks to encourage private investors. It also proposes the setting up of a dedicated solar power cell, statutory approval within a maximum of 60 days, setting up 1,000 solar villages, schemes to encourage economically backward villagers, and cross-subsidy to promote the adoption of solar energy.