J&K Government Rebuts Outdated Solar Energy Claims; Confirms Capacity Surpasses 250 MW

JAMMU, April 02, 2026:The Department of Science & Technology, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, has formally issued a rebuttal against a recent media report that claimed the Union Territory’s solar capacity stood at only 79.48 MW.

Clarifying the current status as of March 2026, the department confirmed that the actual installed solar capacity—comprising rooftop systems, off-grid, hybrid, and ground-mounted projects—has now crossed the 250 MW mark. This represents a significant leap from the 49 MW recorded in 2021, fueled largely by flagship initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

Officials emphasized that solar energy is currently the fastest-growing segment of the region’s energy mix, contrary to the “incomplete and outdated” figures previously circulated.

Addressing comparisons made between solar and hydropower, the department labeled the narrative as misleading, noting that hydropower has benefited from decades of legacy infrastructure. While large hydro projects account for 3,360 MW, the small hydro segment stands at 269 MW, making solar’s rapid rise to 250 MW in just the last few years even more impressive.

The government further explained that due to the hilly terrain and the difficulty of securing large tracts of contiguous land for massive solar parks, the UT has strategically prioritized decentralized rooftop solar installations.

With robust policy support and schemes like PM KUSUM showing high utilization of funds, the government remains committed to fostering an investor-friendly and sustainable energy ecosystem across Jammu & Kashmir.