Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the state has recorded a major rise in solar energy capacity since 2024, showing strong progress toward clean and renewable energy. According to the Chief Minister, Uttarakhand has seen nearly a ten-fold increase in solar power capacity in the last two years and has made significant progress in rooftop solar projects across the state.
The Chief Minister shared this information while releasing the “Solar Awareness Souvenir Booklet,” prepared by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in Dehradun.
During the event, Dhami said that the move toward solar energy is not only important for reducing electricity costs but also for protecting the environment and building a greener future.
He described the solar campaign as a shared effort to create a bright, self-reliant and environmentally friendly Uttarakhand.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Dhami said that changing weather patterns, climate concerns, rising energy needs and environmental challenges have made solar energy more important than ever before.
According to him, solar energy should no longer be seen only as an alternative source of power. Instead, it has become a necessity for modern life.
He explained that many countries and states are now trying to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and increase the use of renewable power.
Solar energy is considered clean because it does not produce harmful pollution like some traditional fuel sources. Since sunlight is naturally available, it can also reduce long-term electricity costs for homes and institutions.
Dhami said Uttarakhand is trying to move in this direction through better planning and awareness.
He also mentioned the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, launched under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which encourages rooftop solar installations in homes.
The scheme aims to help households generate electricity through solar panels installed on rooftops and reduce dependence on traditional electricity supply systems.
According to Dhami, Uttarakhand has shown good progress under this programme.
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The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand reached its first major target of installing 40,000 rooftop solar plants earlier than expected.
He called this an important success because it showed growing public participation in clean energy programmes.
He further said the state has completed nearly 95 per cent of its larger target under the scheme.
According to Dhami, rooftop solar installations in residential areas have reached nearly 290 megawatts (MW) of capacity.
This means many households are now producing electricity through solar panels placed on rooftops.
Solar rooftop systems work by converting sunlight into electricity. During sunny weather, homes can produce energy and lower electricity bills.
Many people also see rooftop solar as a long-term investment because it can reduce energy expenses over time.
Dhami said Uttarakhand’s progress in this area shows that people are slowly becoming more open to clean energy options.
The Chief Minister added that the nearly ten-fold increase in solar energy capacity since 2024 is a major achievement for the state.
He described this growth as an important step toward making Uttarakhand energy self-reliant.
Chief Minister Dhami praised the work of several departments and officials involved in the solar campaign.
He appreciated the coordinated efforts of Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), district officials and other departments connected with the programme.
According to him, teamwork between government agencies helped speed up rooftop installations and spread awareness among citizens.
He said progress in large government projects becomes easier when departments work together with proper planning and clear goals.
Officials have reportedly helped residents understand how solar systems work and how people can benefit from them.
The government believes that better coordination between departments can help clean energy projects grow even faster.
Dhami said awareness programmes have played an important role in increasing interest in solar energy.
He mentioned campaigns such as Solar Kauthig, street plays and training sessions for officials as examples of efforts used to spread awareness among citizens.
According to him, many people earlier had little information about solar energy or rooftop systems. Some people were unsure about installation costs, electricity savings or maintenance.
Awareness drives are helping people understand how solar power works and why it can be useful.
Street plays and local programmes have been used to explain the benefits in simple ways so that people in both cities and villages can understand the idea.
Training sessions have also been organised for government staff so they can better support solar-related work.
The government hopes that informed citizens will feel more confident in adopting solar systems for homes and businesses.
The Chief Minister said the government does not want people to remain only consumers of electricity.
Instead, the aim is to make citizens active participants in the clean energy movement.
He explained that when people install rooftop solar systems, they become partners in energy production and environmental protection.
Dhami said wider use of solar energy can reduce electricity costs for families and also help lower pressure on traditional power systems.
At the same time, it can support efforts to reduce pollution and protect nature.
He stressed that Uttarakhand’s future development should balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
The Chief Minister said clean energy can play a major role in helping the state move toward a more sustainable future.
Several senior officials attended the event, including MLA Suresh Gadiya, Chief Secretary Dr R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Vinay Shankar Pandey, CEEW CEO Dr Arunabha Ghosh and other government officers.
The state government believes that with continued awareness and participation, Uttarakhand can further expand solar energy use and become an example of clean energy growth in the country.
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