Chandigarh’s Net Zero Goal Delayed by Haryana Government

Solar energy project stuck in Chandigarh government buildings: No response from Haryana government, target to make government departments ‘net zero’ by 2030

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration’s plan to promote renewable and clean energy has been hampered due to lack of response from the Haryana government. The administration aims to make all government departments in the city ‘net zero’ by 2030 and run Chandigarh on 100% renewable energy by 2047. Towards this end, the administration has decided to install solar power plants on the rooftops of government buildings. However, there has been no response from the Haryana government on this plan yet, due to which this ambitious project is stuck.

Proposal to install solar panels on government residences

The administration had written a letter to the Haryana and Punjab governments seeking permission to install solar panels on government buildings falling under their jurisdiction. The Punjab government has supported the proposal and agreed that it will install solar power plants on its buildings, but no response has been received from Haryana. There are about 700 government buildings in Chandigarh under the jurisdiction of Haryana, which include offices and residential units. These also include government residences located in Sector-39, on which it is proposed to install solar panels.

BEE gives 5-star rating

The Chandigarh Administration aims to install solar panels on the roofs of all government buildings by December 31, 2024. Currently, the administration has installed rooftop solar plants in 3,771 buildings, and work is underway in 2,949 buildings. Efforts are being made to make government buildings self-reliant through these solar power plants. These include many prestigious buildings of Chandigarh, such as the Environment Bhawan located in Sector-19, which has been made ‘net zero’ through a solar plant with a capacity of 276 kWp. This building has also been given a 5-star rating by BEE.

In addition, the Model Central Jail, Sector-51 is meeting all its energy requirements through a solar plant with a total capacity of 710 kWp. Similarly, government schools in Chandigarh have also become self-sufficient with a total solar power capacity of 6,115 kWp. The new Secretariat building of the Union Territory is also meeting its energy requirements with a solar plant with a total capacity of 880 kWp.

Around 67 MW electricity is being produced in Chandigarh

Currently, around 67 MW electricity is being produced in Chandigarh, which is targeted to reach 80 MW by the end of 2024. The administration has also installed floating solar plants at places like Jal Shakti Department, IT Park near DT Mall, and Dhanas Lake in the city, which are producing clean energy along with conserving water.

This step of the Chandigarh administration will not only lead the city towards clean and green energy, but will also help in meeting the increasing demand for energy. Now it remains to be seen how soon the Haryana government responds to this project, so that solar energy can be used smoothly in the government buildings of Chandigarh.