Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Thursday hailed Diu as a “national example” in renewable energy deployment, citing the district’s achievement of meeting its entire daytime electricity demand through solar power.

Joshi visited the coastal Union Territory to review its progress in clean energy and inspect the rollout of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a national initiative aimed at promoting rooftop solar adoption among households.

Diu Becomes First Fully Solar-Powered District

During the visit, Joshi congratulated the administration on Diu becoming the first district in India to fulfil its total electricity requirements through solar energy, with a total installed capacity of 11.88 megawatts, comprising 9 MW from ground-mounted systems and 2.88 MW from rooftop installations.

“This achievement sets a benchmark for the rest of the country,” Joshi said during a high-level meeting with senior UT officials, including Energy Secretary T. Arun and Diu Collector Dr. Vivek Kumar.

Field Visit Highlights Solar Impact

Joshi later toured the 9 MW Solar Park in Fudam, a flagship installation contributing significantly to the district’s energy needs. Officials briefed the minister on how the park had helped reduce transmission and distribution losses, allowing for the rationalization of electricity tariffs and lowering costs for local consumers.

“The success of Diu’s solar transition is a result of sustained capital investments over the last decade, all of which have already paid off through efficient energy generation and sales,” Joshi said.

Push for PM-Surya Ghar Yojana

The Minister emphasized the need for a more aggressive implementation of the PM-Surya Ghar Yojana across the Union Territory to ensure total household saturation.

He credited the leadership of UT Administrator Praful Patel for enabling Diu’s clean energy transformation and called the district’s progress a “template for national replication.”

Joshi’s visit comes amid broader efforts by the Indian government to scale up renewable energy as part of its net-zero goals. The minister reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to expanding clean energy infrastructure under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Diu’s solar success, he said, exemplifies how small districts can play a significant role in India’s energy transition.

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