NEW DELHI: Delhi will install solar panels on 1,000 government buildings to generate 55MW of clean electricity, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday.
The plan envisages converting unused rooftop space across departments into decentralised power sources, reducing reliance on conventional generation and lowering pollution in the national capital.
The launch event in Rithala marked the beginning of the initiative as Gupta inaugurated a 25KW solar installation at the local sewage treatment plant. She said the complete rooftop rollout is scheduled for completion by January next year.
Soon, work on panels will begin at other identified government buildings. The target of 55MW from 1,000 rooftops will be achieved through a phased schedule that includes surveys, retrofits, and grid connections.
In addition to the solar push, Gupta also laid the foundation stone for a power grid project being built by TPDDL, signalling an integrated approach to emergency services and distribution upgrades. She framed these steps as part of her administration’s environmental agenda for the “golden chapter” of a clean, green Delhi.
Waste management was also a focal point. Gupta noted that Delhi generates an estimated 11,000–12,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, of which roughly 7,000 tonnes are disposed of, and cautioned that unprocessed garbage would only build “mountains” if left unchecked. The administration has intensified efforts on waste-to-energy plants and biogas facilities to tackle the shortfall and convert waste into usable energy.
Work has begun on an e-waste processing plant in Tehkhand to handle discarded electronics, chargers, and batteries.
Gupta highlighted the procurement of 3,000 electric buses to reduce vehicular pollution and modernise public transport. Officials expect the programme to attract private investment and create technical jobs.