Diu Becomes India’s First District to Achieve 100% Daytime Solar Power Supply: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Praises Clean Energy Milestone

Diu: In a landmark moment for India’s renewable energy journey, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, today hailed Diu as a “national example” for clean energy adoption, noting that the district has become the first in the country to meet its entire daytime electricity demand through solar energy.

During his visit to the Union Territory, the Minister commended Diu’s achievement of generating 11.88 MW of solar energy—comprising 9 MW from ground-mounted systems and 2.88 MW from rooftop installations—making it the first district in India to rely solely on solar energy for all its daytime electricity needs.

Chairing a high-level meeting with senior officials of the UT administration, Joshi reviewed the status of solar energy generation, the existing power supply framework, and future plans for renewable energy expansion. Energy Secretary of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, T. Arun, gave a detailed presentation on the performance of existing solar plants and their impact on household energy access. He informed the Minister that a growing number of families are benefiting from the transition to solar power.

The meeting was attended by Diu Collector Dr. Vivek Kumar, Deputy Collector Shivam Mishra, Executive Engineer Yogesh Tripathi, Paresh Patel, and other senior officials who have been instrumental in the district’s renewable energy transition.

Following the meeting, Joshi conducted a field visit to the 9 MW Solar Park at Fudam, one of Diu’s key renewable energy landmarks. The solar park not only meets a significant portion of the district’s power needs but also plays a critical role in reducing transmission and distribution losses. The Minister noted that this has enabled a downward revision in electricity tariffs, making power more affordable for residents.

He attributed much of the district’s success to the leadership of UT Administrator Praful Patel, crediting his proactive vision for ensuring Diu’s sustainable development. “This transformation is a result of forward-looking policy decisions and timely execution. Diu is now a model for other regions in the country,” said the Minister.

Highlighting the economic benefits of clean energy, Joshi noted that the capital investments made over the last decade in solar infrastructure have already been recovered through power generation and sales. He also emphasized the importance of rapidly scaling up the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, urging for household-level saturation to further empower residents and reduce reliance on conventional energy sources.