Jammu and Kashmir has completed 43,000 rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana, marking a significant step in the Union Territory’s transition towards renewable energy. The installations are intended to help households reduce their dependence on conventional electricity and lower their power bills.

Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation (KPDCL) Managing Director Mehmood Ahmad Shah shared the figures during a review of power-sector developments in J&K. He was accompanying Union Ministry of Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, who visited the region to assess projects being implemented under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme and the rooftop solar programme.

The Kashmir Valley accounts for 26,000 of the completed installations, while Jammu has recorded 17,000. Shah acknowledged that progress has been uneven across districts, with some areas moving faster than others in adopting rooftop solar systems.

Srinagar, Budgam and Kupwara were identified as districts performing strongly in the programme. Baramulla and Bandipora were reported to be lagging, indicating the need for greater implementation efforts and wider household participation in those areas.

The PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to support households through rooftop solar installations and access to free electricity within the scheme’s framework. The programme is also aimed at reducing pressure on conventional power sources and promoting distributed renewable generation.

The review by the Union power secretary and the KPDCL managing director also covered ongoing distribution-sector projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The scheme focuses on improving the operational efficiency and financial sustainability of power distribution companies, while strengthening electricity infrastructure across J&K.