Assam to be wholly free of fossil fuels by 2031, says CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has claimed that fossil fuels will not be used at all in the state by 2031. Speaking after inaugurating a solar plant in Assam's Udalguri district this week, he said, The complete elimination of the use of petrol and diesel in Assam will happen by 2031 … electric vehicles will be used.” According to a senior government official, Assam is looking to produce 50,000 MW of solar power in the future. The government has issued an order to cut down carbon emissions by 2030. The Assam government has planned to adhere to the goal of 50 per cent electricity from solar energy in the next five years. On Tuesday, Sarma inaugurated a 25 MW solar power plant in Udalguri district. Another two 25 MW solar power plants are being set up in Samaguri and Nagaon districts in Assam.| The state government is also planning to set up floating solar energy plants on lakes in the state which may produce up to 1,000 MW of energy, the Chief Minister said.See also: Assam’s first solar power plant inaugurated at UdalguriEESL to upscale 100 energy-efficient projects