The Delhi Finance Minister, Kailash Gahlot, recently presented his first budget in the assembly, announcing an allocation of Rs 3,348 crore for the power sector. He highlighted that electricity rates have not been increased in the last eight years and stated that the Delhi government has treated providing minimum electricity to every household as a fundamental right.
The Solar Policy will establish Delhi as a leading example for the country in the field of solar energy. The policy aims to increase solar energy’s share of the city’s electricity demand from the current 9% to 25% by 2025. To achieve this goal, the policy has set a target of installing solar infrastructure with a capacity of 6,000 MW, including 750 MW of rooftop solar, by 2025. The policy also aims to create around 12,000 green jobs in Delhi.
Furthermore, the Delhi government has set up EV charging stations with the lowest tariffs, with the minimum cost for EV charging being only Rs 3 per kWh. The government has already launched 11 of the planned 100 EV charging stations, with 30 more set to launch this month and the remaining to be launched in the next financial year. Additionally, nearly 900 EV charging points and 103 battery swapping points will come up in the city.
Gahlot also highlighted that Delhi successfully met its peak power demand of 7,695 MW units on June 29 last year with zero load-shedding. He further noted that the aggregate technical and commercial losses of Delhi are now the lowest in the country, at less than 8%.
The Delhi government’s commitment to clean energy is commendable, and the Solar Policy’s ambitious goals and initiatives like the low-cost EV charging stations are steps in the right direction. If the government can achieve its targets, Delhi could become a model for the country in promoting renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. The solar policy’s success could also attract investment and generate employment opportunities, further strengthening the city’s economy.
