JAISALMER: For the first time in the country, floodlights at dozens of border posts and fencings along the international border adjoining Pakistan will run on solar energy from November 5. The pilot project is being operated by the Union home ministry at the border in Jaisalmer.

Work of the 5MW solar power station that will light up the border posts here has almost been completed and power generation will start from November 5. For now, this power station will supply power to border posts of Jaisalmer sector north. Apart from this, the Union government has approved solar power project of 10MW for power supply at BSF battalion headquarters situated in Ramgarh area of Jaisalmer. If the pilot project is successful then all the border posts situated at international borders of the country will be supplied solar power and solar projects will be set up in different phases.

With this free power, the government can save crores of rupees spent every year on power and diesel used in generators.

BSF sector north assistant engineer Hari Ram, who is playing an important role in setting up this entire pilot project, said, "on the directions of Union home ministry, 5MW solar-based water heating system power project as pilot project was approved to be set up at government area in Jaisalmer. The Government of India enterprise Solar Energy Corporation of India is setting up this pilot project. Now the work is complete and there is possibility of power generation from November 5". He said the company will sell power for Rs 5.45 per unit and an agreement has been made for 25 years. The power project was set up with an estimated cost of Rs 6.45 crore and power generated from this plant will be supplied for lighting floodlights at all BSF border posts in Jaisalmer sector north, he added.

BSF DIG Amit Lodha said, "With this kind of power project being set up, money spent on diesel for running generator sets can be saved. If this pilot project turns successful, then there is a possibility of setting up such solar energy power projects at other border areas of the country. At present, approval has been given for setting up 10MW solar power project at BSF battalion headquarters in Ramgarh and soon the work will start," he added.

On the other hand, another senior official said that for saving money spent on power at border posts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed to set up solar energy plant nearby border posts and PMO had sent a note to Union home ministry in this regard.

