The Himachal Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding with Oil India Ltd on Wednesday to create a framework for cooperation in utilising and developing new and renewable energy sources in the state, including exploring the state's solar potential. In the presence of the chief minister, Sukhvinder Sukhu, the agreement was signed by Harikesh Meena, director of energy for the state government, and Pankaj Kumar Goswami, director of operations for Oil India Ltd. In addition to creating ground-mounted solar power projects, the Chief
Minister stated that the business would look into the possibility of constructing floating solar power plants in water reservoirs. Oil India can also build up a facility for the temporary production of green hydrogen and green ammonia.
Himachal Pradesh has a wealth of renewable energy resources and the potential to produce green hydrogen; the state government has taken a number of steps to tap into this potential, according to the chief minister, who also requested that Oil India send a team of experts to inspect the project sites the following week.
Sukhu announced that a review meeting to assess the status of the proposed projects will take place on May 26. According to a formal statement, the Chief Minister further requested Oil India not to introduce these projects with needless delay. By March 31, 2026, Himachal Pradesh will have achieved the status of the nation's first green energy state, according to Sukhu. The collaboration between the government and Oil India, according to the chief minister, would concentrate on creating a variety of new and sustainable energy sources, such as solar energy, green hydrogen, compressed biogas, geothermal energy, and wind energy.