Tripura Turns to Solar Power as Gas Supplies Dwindle

Tripura is accelerating its shift toward solar energy as declining natural gas reserves threaten the state’s electricity generation. Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, speaking at an event in Dhalai district, said solar power would be a key solution to the state’s looming energy crisis.

Four of Tripura’s five gas-based power plants have been forced to cut output due to fuel shortages. The Palatana plant, with a capacity of 726 MW, is now generating only 520 MW per day. The Manarchak, RC Nagar, and Rokhia plants are also underperforming, worsening an energy deficit that experts warn will deepen by 2030.

To bridge the gap, the state government has rolled out the PM Surya Ghar scheme, encouraging residents to install rooftop solar panels and sell excess electricity to the grid. Alongside solar expansion, Tripura is planning to revive the Gomati hydro-power project and assess pumped storage solutions to stabilize future supply.

Minister Nath stressed that the transition to renewable energy is not just a necessity but an opportunity to build a more resilient power sector. With gas supplies dwindling and demand set to rise, officials see solar and hydro as the cornerstones of Tripura’s long-term energy strategy.