Dr Farooq Abdullah minister of New and Renewable Energy informed the Lok Sabha that government is implementing a project entitled Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative to minimize dependence on diesel in the Ladakh region and meet power requirement through local renewable sources.

The approach is to meet power requirements through small/micro hydel and solar photovoltaic power projects/systems and use solar thermal systems for water heating/space heating/cooking requirements.

The project envisages setting up of solar power plants in 70 villages and 120 institutions and distribution of solar systems in the region. The project also aims at setting up of 30 small/mini hydel projects with an aggregate capacity of 23.8 MW. The project is under implementation since 1st June 2010.