HT Correspondent
AGARTALA, May 4: In a major push towards clean energy, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has announced plans to bring all government buildings under solar power. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting renewable energy through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath, addressing the media on Sunday, said that the state is witnessing a rising demand for solar energy. “As of May 1, a total of 13,536 households have registered under the scheme. Among them, 266 have already installed solar plants, and 184 beneficiaries have received government subsidies. However, many are yet to submit their subsidy applications,” Nath said.
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Highlighting the financial impact, he mentioned that 70 consumers have started receiving zero electricity bills, and 95 families have collectively availed loans amounting to Rs 1.75 crore under the scheme.
“For the first time, 70 consumers received Rs 30,902 under the scheme after installing solar systems in their homes. We are committed to expanding this further,” he added.
Minister Nath stated that the government aims to bring 50,000 consumers under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana by March 2027. “This expansion will help generate an additional 150 MW of power,” he said. Currently, Tripura’s peak power demand is 370 MW, while the state is generating 372 MW—ensuring self-sufficiency in power supply.
On the issue of power bill payments, Nath noted that out of 9,87,838 power consumers in the state, only 4,32,045 are paying their electricity bills. “Around 60% of consumers default on bill payments,” he said.
In a crackdown on power theft, the minister revealed that between April 2024 and April 2025, the department registered 1,015 cases, disconnected 10,779 illegal hook lines, and imposed fines amounting to Rs 4.19 crore—of which Rs 3.37 crore has already been collected.
