Haryana lights up 6000+ villages, unveils INR 200-crore rooftop-solar push

Under the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon scheme, officials reported that more than 6,000 villages now enjoy round-the-clock power, a major milestone in rural electrification. To accelerate rooftop solar uptake statewide, Haryana’s electricity authorities have proposed INR 200-crore revolving fund to extend interest-free advances and subsidies for installations.

In a key policy shift, they also plan to relax the current 10 MW cap on individual rooftop or distributed solar projects, enabling larger systems and helping the state pursue its 2,000 MW solar target. These measures were discussed at a recent Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) meeting chaired by Nand Lal Sharma.

Key attendees included -

• HERC members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar
• J. Ganesan, Managing Director, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam
• Ashok Kumar Meena, MD, UHBVN
• HERC Secretary Prashant Deshta
• former HERC Chairman R. N. Prasar
• Electricity Ombudsman R. K. Khanna
• representatives from industry and consumer groups

At the meeting, it was noted that the Union Ministry of Power has approved Viability Gap Funding of INR 18 lakh per megawatt-hour for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Haryana. Designed to absorb surplus solar and wind and discharge during peaks or low-generation periods, the capacity will be shared between UHBVN and DHBVN, the state’s two discoms.

Chair Nand Lal Sharma flagged priorities: cutting AT&C losses, managing peak-hour demand, integrating renewables, and strengthening consumer grievance redressal. UHBVN and DHBVN reported AT&C losses of 8.75 per cent and 11.13 per cent, respectively, with UHBVN committing to reduce its figure to 9 per cent, below HERC’s 10 per cent benchmark. Separately, under the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon scheme, officials said more than 6,000 villages now receive 24×7 power, an important milestone in rural electrification.