Shimla, May 18 (IANS) State-run Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Ltd (HPEBL) and Solar Energy Corp of India (SECI) on Wednesday signed a pact to set up India's first solar wind hybrid power plant in the hill state.
The agreement was signed by Managing Directors P.C. Negi of HPEBL and Ashwani Kumar of SECI in the presence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here.
Under the agreement, joint venture Himachal Pradesh Solar Power Corp Ltd has been set up to commission a pilot solar wind hybrid power project of 2.5 MW at Rangrik in Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district.
It will be commissioned by October 2017, a government statement said. On completion, it would benefit 12,000 habitants of Rangrik, Kaza, Tabo, Losar and Pin valley.
Its estimated cost would be Rs.30.72 crore.
The entire Lahaul-Spiti district, where the solar wind hybrid plant will come up, is populated mainly by tribals. The climate in the district is harsh as much of the land forms part of a cold desert where the mercury drops below minus 20 degrees Celsius during winter.
