Under the silent solar energy revolution in South Assam’s Hailakandi district altogether 16 villages are having access to electricity with installation of 349 solar street lights under the Souro Shakti project.

Another eight villages which have been groping in dark since independence have been recently installed with 80 numbers of solar street lights.

“With these villages being lit after decades of darkness, the aspirations of its residents got wings. They have started dreaming of a bright future for their children as they could now study through the night,” said Assistant Commissioner, Parikshit Phukan.

APDCL has helped connect off-grid interior villages with rooftop solar panels covering about 1,551 households.

“Renewable energy-based solar power will boost small businesses, create local jobs and build economies. This will improve living standards in villages ensuring women empowerment, better health and education. There cannot be a better development agenda for the district,” he added.

Emergency services like medical have also been covered under the project to ensure 24×7 services. Almost all the sub-centres and health institutions including the SK Roy Civil Hospital have been covered under Project Souro Shakti and have all been lit by solar lights irrespective of availability of electricity. 255 solar lights have been installed in the health sector alone. 

Taking this initiative a step further, the administration has chalked out an ambitious plan to cover all educational institutions under the project, works of which are going on in full swing.

A 10-year blueprint predicts 57% of India’s electricity capacity will come from non-fossil sources by 2027.

Solar energy is a particular focus and will contribute 100 gigawatts (GW) of the renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW by 2022.