West Bengal has installed only 5% of its solar power capacity, says BJP
The Hindu
West Bengal falls short in solar energy capacity, with only 5% of estimated potential installed, BJP criticises Mamata Banerjee.
West Bengal has installed solar projects of only 0.31 GW (Giga Watt), which is only 5% of its estimated solar capacity of 6.26 GW, the State BJP said on Sunday, February 16, 2025.
The BJP’s reaction follows the response of Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy and Power Shripad Yesso Naik in the Rajya Sabha to a question by MP and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Samik Bhattacharya on February 4, 2025.
In his response, Mr. Naik said that total estimated potential of renewable energy in West Bengal is 10.48 GW, out of which the total estimated solar capacity is 6.26 GW. He added that as on 31. 12.2024, a total of 2.10 GW of renewable energy had been installed in the State. “Out of this, solar projects of 0.31 GW has been installed in the State which is around 0.3% of the total solar energy capacity in India,” he said.
Highlighting the Minister’s response, BJP leader and co-in-charge of West Bengal Amit Malviya asked what is holding West Bengal back from harnessing clean and renewable energy. “Isn’t it time Mamata Banerjee prioritised solar expansion to reduce Bengal’s reliance on fossil fuels, lower electricity costs, and create green jobs?” Mr. Malviya asked.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues to project West Bengal as a ‘power surplus’ State and recently reiterated it at the Bengal Global Business Summit, highlighting the Deocha Pachami coal project in Birbhum. Ms. Banerjee said that the coal mine would make the State ‘power surplus’ for 100 years.
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