KREDA is a registered agency (Reg. No 5909-S-2010) under the Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir Society Registration Act 1999 and works with the objectives of promoting and accelerating the pace of utilization of hydro, solar and wind energy and meeting the power requirements in Kargil-Ladakh. In the year 2010 the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Govt of India (MNRE) vide its sanctioned order No: even dated 1.6.2010 has assigned various renewable energy based schemes like Micro/Mini/Small Hydel Project, Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) System and other Solar Thermal Systems etc., as part of its Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative (approximately Rs.260 crore project), to KREDA. In Kargil-Ladakh district the task of promoting renewable energy technologies and creating mass awareness in connection to the same has been assigned to Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA).
Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electricity. A small solar photovoltaic system can be a reliable and pollution free producer of electricity. Presently there are around 157 villages in Kargil-Ladakh, out of which only 97 villages are electrified (95% through DG Sets). There are mainly two power stations one small hydro (Iqbal Project) with an installed capacity of 3.75MW and one DG station with 4MW capacity that supplies electricity to the main town of Kargil-Ladakh and villages nearby. There are also two numbers of mini hydroelectric power units and some DG sets (with capacity ranging from 50-750 KVa) mostly installed in the progressive villages. Because of the scattered nature of the villages there is a huge problem with distribution and transmission through power grid systems. The transmission lines are very long resulting in poor voltage regulation and high distribution losses and also it requires huge capital investment which is financially not feasible. Therefore KREDA is concentrating on decentralized power generation policy, which would be the best alternative for such rural and far-flung areas/villages of Kargil-Ladakh.
Renewable energy is certainly a carbon free, inexhaustible and abundant source of energy. It is derived from sources such as Sun, Wind, and Water etc. It should be noted that a variety of situations will be encountered while planning the layout of renewable energy plants (physical, social, administrative, economic etc.). But once such a plant is installed it can effectively contribute to combating climate change while at the same time providing various environmental, social and economic benefits. The 40 KWp power plants shall be supplying electricity to the mentioned villages. A total of nearly 800-1000 families will receive electricity for 5 hours in the evenings. Yet another 22 villages in the district, comprising of nearly 2200 households, will be electrified under the Ladakh Renewable Energy Initiative Scheme implementing by KREDA. It will make the Power Development Department enable of saving thousands of liters of diesel, resulting in saving of crores of rupees annually and it will bring down the load in already running DG Sets. plant will have no adverse environmental impact. It will rather improve the status of environment by eliminating the harmful gases, which the diesel stations emits into the atmosphere (per 50000 liters of diesel emits up to 128 ton of CO2). The solar power plants will enhance the quality of life and improve living conditions of the people.
In Kargil-Ladakh the remote and inaccessible villages such as Sapi, Batambis, Baroo Nallah, Kukshow Pacharik, Umba, Lankerchey brok and many more in Zanskar comes under the category of remotely located and marginalized areas. The Government sponsored development programmes on electrification are mainly focused in some areas. Rural communities still rely on traditional energy resources like biomass which leads to deterioration of the environment. Moreover the villages and hamlets are highly scattered and isolated. Therefore, as a response to these challenges, KREDA has decided to distribute Home Lighting Systems in these villages.
Solar Home Lighting System is powered by solar energy using solar cells that convert solar power energy (sunlight) directly to electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries and used for the purpose of lighting whenever required. These systems are useful in un-electrified and partially electrified rural areas and as reliable emergency lighting system for important domestic applications.
The Home Lighting System has been distributed among the communities of non-electrified villages/partially electrified villages (already surveyed and investigated by KREDA) free of cost.
Yet another important source of power in the Renewable Energy field is hydro power. Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. This is called hydro power. It is generated in three ways: hydroelectric power, tidal and wave power. Although micro hydro development dates back to the tea plantations in the colonial era, the availability of information on the subject is extremely limited in India. But now the growth potential that hydro possess has been recognised for special attention by both the Government as well as the private sectors. The foremost requirement for micro/small hydroelectric is a good perennial source of water at a height which can be used to run a turbine and generate electricity. This criterion is of course met by most of the sites in almost all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir. In Ladakh several villages witnessed the installation of micro/mini hydro plants by some NGOs and Government agencies, promoting renewable source of energy. In evaluating a potential micro/mini hydro site we need a sufficient quantity of falling water and some other considerations such as its Power Output, Economics (Costs), Permits and Water Rights etc.
In order to conserve use of electricity, diesel, kerosene, biomass and keeping in view the requirements of the people in Kargil-Ladakh, some solar thermal systems will be introduced as viable options.
A Water heating device with 100-3000 LPD.For households & institutions.
10,000 sqm proposed collector area.
50% off for residential use and 90% off for Govt. buildings. 40% off for commercial buildings.
Kargil-Ladakh has natural advantage of having lots of sunshine in the winter months. Based on this KREDA as per MNRE directions introduced the idea of building Improved Green House in the district. This technique is simple because all the required materials, except the polythene sheet and iron angles, are locally available. Improved Green House is designed to maximise the capture of solar energy during the day, while minimizing heat loss at night.
Solar Green House. For producing vegetables for home consumption and market. Constructed facing south with a polythene cover to receive maximum sunlight. Insulated back and side walls. Equipped with ventilation system to control the inner atmosphere.
Two standard sizes of Green Houses are there: Normal Domestic Type {size=14'x28'}. The Large Commercial Type {18'x58'}.
1. Domestic Type:
Actual price is Rs.23000 but 50% support will be from MNRE i.e. KREDA (in terms of supplying the beneficiary with polythene sheet, one door set, one window set and one ventilator set and also a cheque of Rs.2500).
