Rajasthan’s Minister of State for Energy (Independent Charge), Shri Hiralal Nagar, has expressed satisfaction over the growing public response to the 150 units per month free electricity scheme. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, the state government is actively promoting the use of solar energy. As a result, in just over a month, more than 200,000 electricity consumers have registered on the portal and given their consent to install rooftop solar systems on their homes.
These consumers will now receive the maximum central assistance of ₹78,000 under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, in addition to an extra subsidy of ₹17,000 from Rajasthan DISCOMs.
Shri Nagar was reviewing the progress of various energy department schemes at Vidyut Bhawan on Wednesday. The meeting covered power supply arrangements for the Rabi season, installation of rooftop solar systems on government buildings under the HEM model through Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC), progress on smart meters, the 150-unit free electricity scheme, and the PM Surya Ghar free electricity scheme. He instructed officials to ensure that more eligible consumers register and opt for rooftop solar installations under the 150-unit scheme.
The minister also directed that adequate power availability be maintained during the upcoming Rabi season. He asked the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam to ensure uninterrupted power supply from its units. He further emphasized accelerating the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to help meet peak-hour electricity demand.
Principal Secretary, Energy, Shri Ajitabh Sharma, said that government offices with insufficient space for rooftop solar systems can adopt virtual net metering and group net metering models. He instructed RREC to conduct the necessary assessments for this.
Rajasthan DISCOMs Chairperson Ms. Arti Dogra reported that since the launch of the portal on 13 October, 2,07,804 consumers have already agreed to install rooftop solar systems under the 150-unit free electricity scheme. She also informed that 1,02,555 rooftop solar systems have already been installed in the state under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. Additionally, 11 districts have been selected for establishing model solar villages under this programme.
During the meeting, RREC Chairman & MD Shri Rohit Gupta briefed on rooftop installations under the HEM model in government offices. Rajasthan Energy Development Corporation MD Shri Om Kasera presented preparations for power availability during the Rabi season. Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam CMD Shri Devendra Shringi and Joint Secretary, Energy, Shri Saurabh Swami were also present. Jodhpur DISCOM MD Dr. Bhanwarlal and Ajmer DISCOM MD Shri K.P. Verma joined via video conference.
