By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 05, 2026
Agartala, Aug 5 (FD) The Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) has launched an ambitious initiative to convert around 5,000 electricity-powered drinking water pumps into solar-powered systems, aiming to significantly reduce the state's electricity expenditure, a senior official said on Wednesday.
The Drinking Water and Sanitation (DWS) Department currently spends nearly Rs 125 crore annually on electricity to operate around 10,000 conventional water pumps across the state.
"Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha reviewed the issue of the DWS department's high electricity expenditure for water supply.CM directed TREDA to initiate a programme to convert at least 5,000 water pumps to solar power to reduce power costs," TREDA Director General Debabrata Sukladas told reporters.
As part of the first phase, TREDA has begun the process of converting 2,300 small-bore water pumps into solar-powered units at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore.
"Department has floated tenders, and work on the ground is expected to commence shortly. We aim to complete this phase during FY 2026-28," Sukladas said.
According to him, converting these 2,300 pumps alone is expected to save the DWS Department approximately Rs 5 crore annually in electricity bills.
Sukladas noted that ensuring uninterrupted conventional power supply to water pumps in remote and hilly areas remains a major challenge, while extending the electricity grid to sparsely populated regions is often economically unviable.
“The pumps operated by Solar-power will provide a reliable and sustainable water supply in such areas while substantially reducing operational costs," he said.
TREDA currently has an installed solar power generation capacity of around 37 MW in the state.
The official also said Tripura's renewable energy sector received strong investor interest during the Destination Tripura: Business Conclave held last month.
"The state's power sector received investment proposals worth Rs 17,000 crore during the 'Destination Tripura: Business Conclave', a substantial portion of which was for solar energy projects. We are now focused on converting these proposals into tangible investments on the ground," Sukladas said. FD JK