Dhordo Becomes Gujarat’s Fourth Solar Village Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana

Dhordo village, located in Gujarat’s Kutch district, has achieved a new milestone in sustainable energy by becoming the fourth fully solar-powered village in the state. Known globally as the “Best Tourism Village” by UNWTO, Dhordo now sets another benchmark in renewable energy adoption. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicated this achievement to the nation on 20 September 2025 during the Samudra Se Samriddhi event in Bhavnagar.

Solarisation of Dhordo

• Initiative: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
• Implementation: Every residential electricity connection in Dhordo solarised
• Coverage: 81 homes fitted with rooftop solar systems
• Installed Capacity: 177 kW
• Expected Output: 2.95 lakh units of electricity annually

This project will save villagers significantly on power bills and also enable them to earn income by selling surplus energy to the grid.

Economic Benefits to Villagers

• Annual savings per home: Approx. ₹16,064
• Total annual benefit to village: Over ₹13 lakh (combined savings + income from surplus power)
• Support: Government subsidies and bank loans minimised villagers’ expenses, making solarisation affordable.

Dhordo’s Sarpanch, Miyan Hussain, highlighted how the project has reduced electricity bills and created new income opportunities, transforming lives in this remote desert village.

Gujarat’s Solar Villages

Dhordo joins three other villages in Gujarat that have achieved 100% solarisation:

1. Modhera (Mehsana district) – India’s first solar-powered village, inaugurated in October 2022.
2. Sukhi (Kheda district).
3. Masali (Banaskantha district).
4. Dhordo (Kutch district) – added in 2025.

This reinforces Gujarat’s leadership in renewable energy and its role as a model for clean, sustainable rural development.

Broader Significance

• Sustainable Development: Aligns with India’s goals of Net Zero by 2070.
• Rural Empowerment: Reduces financial burden on households while creating revenue from clean energy.
• Tourism Boost: Dhordo, already famous for the Rann Utsav and its UNWTO recognition, will now be a global model for energy sustainability.
• Energy Security: Decentralised solar power reduces dependence on conventional electricity supply.

Key Takeaways

• Village: Dhordo, Kutch district, Gujarat
• Achievement: Fourth fully solar-powered village in Gujarat
• Initiative: PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
• First Solar Village in India: Modhera, Gujarat (2022)
• UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation): HQ in Madrid, Spain
• India’s Renewable Energy Target: 500 GW by 2030; Net Zero by 2070
• Rann of Kutch: World’s largest salt desert, home to Dhordo village and the annual Rann Utsav festival