Himachal Pradesh's first battery-integrated solar project opened in Spiti valley

15-10-2026 · English

Topics: Energy · 15 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on 14 Oct 2026 inaugurated the State's first solar project with a battery energy storage system (BESS) at Rongtong near Kaza, Lahaul–Spiti district (about 3,600 m). It has 2 MW of solar capacity and a 1 MWh battery, cost ₹4.42 crore and is expected to generate about 36 lakh units a year. It has run since Dec 2024 and was now formally inaugurated.

Key facts

Background

• Himachal solar: Pekhubela, Una district – 32 MW (HPPCL, 2024). Himachal had targeted becoming India's first 'Green Energy State' (target March 2026). A 1 MW solar + 500 kW battery project at Pangi (Chamba) is a separate project.
• BESS stores surplus daytime solar power for night or peak use, usually with lithium-ion batteries. MW measures power; MWh measures stored energy.
• Geography: Spiti is a 'cold desert'; the Spiti river joins the Sutlej in Kinnaur. Kaza is Spiti's sub-divisional headquarters; Sumdo lies close to the India–China border (Kaurik).

Tamil Nadu link: the 648 MW solar park at Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram district (2016), was then among the world's largest single-site solar plants. Tamil Nadu is a leading State in wind and solar power.

Source: UNI, Saur Energy, Energetica India, 14 Oct 2026; Mercom (SECI tender, 2023)

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