Presiding over a meeting with officials from the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), the chief minister said solar power is cost effective and reliable in addition to being clean.

A green energy source would go a long way in ensuring a healthy and pollution-free environment, he said.

PSPCL President and CEO A Venu Prasad informed the Chief Minister that PSPCL has issued two tenders for the purchase of a total of 500 megawatts of solar power.

Of this total, 250 MW of solar power is expected to be purchased from solar power projects located anywhere in India with a ceiling tariff of Rs 2.50 per kWh (kilowatt-hour), according to an official statement released. here.

Apart from that, an additional 250 MW of solar power would be purchased from solar power projects located anywhere in the Punjab with a cap tariff of Rs 2.70 per Kwh, Prasad said.

He added that the move will meet the growing demand for electricity in Punjab and simultaneously develop and promote renewable energy sources.

Informing the Chief Minister of the current coal shortages at state power plants, the CMD said the situation prevailed at all thermal power plants in India due to the decrease in coal production by Coal India Ltd, according to the official press release.

He also explained “how with great difficulty the power is managed by PSPCL”.

“All possible avenues are explored to provide uninterrupted and quality electricity to the people of the state,†said Prasad.