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Chandigarh is making significant progress in adopting solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs), leading to an estimated annual saving of ₹60 crore and avoiding nearly 80,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. Navneet Kumar Srivastava, CEO of CREST (Chandigarh Renewable Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society), stated that the administration is working on several large-scale projects, including a 4 MW floating solar plant. Srivastava added that their goal is to meet 10% of the city’s electricity demand through solar power in the next 2-3 years by finding innovative solutions to land constraints in Chandigarh.
Beyond installations, CREST is building a green ecosystem that promotes skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship in the solar energy sector across the city and surrounding areas. Recently, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria emphasized that clean energy is not just a policy but a moral responsibility. He highlighted that investing in innovations in solar and EV sectors is essential for safeguarding the future generations.
Chandigarh has emerged as the top-performing Union Territory in green energy initiatives. At a regional award ceremony, government agencies from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh were recognized, where CREST stood out by winning four major awards. These included being the first to complete 100% rooftop solar coverage on government buildings in India, excellence in PM Surya Ghar implementation, excellence in innovation for its floating solar project, and the highest EV penetration in the region and across India for the year 2024.
Chandigarh’s renewable energy achievements are impressive. The city has installed solar panels at 6,627 government sites, with a total rooftop capacity of 52.85 MW and an overall solar capacity (government and private) of 89.68 MW. It has also set up floating solar plants with an 8 MW capacity, including North India’s largest 2.5 MW project. Chandigarh now meets about 7% of its electricity needs through solar power. In terms of EV adoption, the city leads the nation with 15.20% EV penetration in 2024, supported by 35 EV charging stations and 12 battery-swapping stations. CREST has distributed EV purchase incentives worth ₹35 crore to over 5,200 beneficiaries, positioning Chandigarh as a national leader in sustainable urban development.
