Energy

NHPC to invest Rs 35,000 cr in J&K to develop HEPs with 3500MW capacity

Published

4 years ago

January 3, 2021

BK Editor

Signs MoUs with PDD, JKPDC in presence of Union MoS Power, MoS PMO, LT Governor

BK News

Jammu, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir Government Sunday signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the National Hydro Power Corporation, a Government of India enterprise, for the development and execution of various hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in the UT.

The implementation of 850 MW Ratle HEP and 930 MW Kirthai-II HEP, besides execution of long-pending Sawalkot HEP (1856 MW), Uri-I (Stage-II) (240 MW) and Dulhasti (Stage-II) (258 MW) will involve Rs 35,000 crore investment and make J&K a power surplus region in the country, the government said.

The MoUs were signed between NHPC, J&K Power Development Department (PDD) and J&K Power Development Corporation, a public sector undertaking of J&K Government, in presence of Union MoS Power, Raj Kumar Singh; Lt Governor J&K, Manoj Kumar Sinha; and MoS PMO, Jitendra Singh in a function held here on Sunday.

Locals to be employed in NHPC ventures: Union MoS Power

The MOS Power, while speaking at the occasion, assured the J&K Government of GoI’s support for various power sector reforms.

“Hydroelectric potential successfully ushered the era of development in various states including Sikkim & Himachal Pradesh. J&K should replicate the model,” he was quoted saying, in an official statement.

“According to the national average, electricity in rural areas is 20 hrs and in urban areas is 22-23 hrs. J&K too will reach the milestone if the pace of development is kept the same,” he added.

He said locals will be trained and given employment in NHPC ventures; besides NHPC will see for the development of small hydro projects also.

“We have to do our bit of duty to see electricity reaching every household 24×7,” said the Union MoS.

The Lt Governor said: “The MoUs signed today would attract investments worth Rs 35,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir power sector and ensuring the region’s energy security and 24-hour power supply to the people of J&K.”

“J&K is taking a quantum leap from being a power deficit to becoming a power surplus in the next four years. For the uninterrupted power supply, this is the most significant move by the J&K Government.”

As per the provisions of these MoUs, the projects will be handed over back to Jammu and Kashmir after 40 years of commercial operation which was not in case of earlier projects allotted to NHPC Limited, he said.

J&K to double power generation by 2024: LG

Speaking on tapping the full potential of hydro energy, the Lt Governor said the vision of the government is to effectively harness hydro energy resources of J&K with a goal to double the energy generation by 2024 and also to prepare a strategy for efficiency through policies, monitoring mechanism to ensure energy security for economic and social benefits.

The Lt Governor said that the numerous hydro resources of Jammu & Kashmir are capable of generating 14,867 MW power but the potential had not been fully exploited, and only 3504 MW power was being generated till now. The works started now will ensure that another 3498 MW power is generated in the next three to four years.

The potential which was achieved in 70 years would now be doubled within the next four years only, claimed the Lt Governor.

J&K’s journey from a power deficit to a power surplus region can only be realized with vision and planning. An entire overhaul is being made possible with the support of the Central Government without any expenditure by the UT administration, the Lt Governor remarked.

Out of the two agreements, the NHPC would work in association with the administration at the first and, the languishing Sawalkot project would be handed over to NHPC for completion under the second. The project has been perpetually postponed since its conception in 1984 and was expected to generate 1856 MW power, he added.

Underscoring the significance of clean, affordable and reliable energy as key factors for the growth of industries, businesses and society, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government is working on environmentally sustainable solar plants to augment renewable energy generation while reviving small hydro projects pending for a long time.

“Jammu & Kashmir was deliberately prevented from attracting investments and despite having the abundant potential of power generation; its energy needs were not addressed. With the execution of new mega power projects, a number of other employment avenues would be generated for the locals. In addition to power generation, strengthening its distribution and transmission infrastructure would also receive our equal efforts,” the Lt Governor said.

Highlighting various measures taken by the Government to streamline power supply across the UT, the Lt Governor said that during the ‘winter preparation’ meeting conducted last year, efforts were made to ensure that except for the scheduled power cuts, the public gets regular power supply. Any disruption in power supply was directed to be rectified within minimum time and a customer care centre was also set up for the purpose in Kashmir division last month. A similar centre was also launched in Jammu division today.

Replacement of faulty transformers has been a serious issue and therefore, a deadline of 24 hours has been set, in case of urban areas, and 48 hours in case of villages, within which the transformers are to be replaced. Although we are supplying 15% more power in comparison to last year, still a lot needs to be done to achieve the desired results, he maintained.

On unscheduled power cuts, the Lt Governor said that he is monitoring the issue of unscheduled power cuts regularly. He also appreciated the efforts of PDD officers and officials for braving the weather and visiting problematic areas and resolving the power issues.

HEPs will increase per capita income of J&K: Jitendra Singh

MoS PMO, Jitendra Singh, in his address, said that the Mega Hydro Power Projects will not only generate employment but would increase the per capita income of J&K.

“All issues inherited from past regimes would be addressed meritoriously taking care of all the stakeholders. J&K will see a new dawn of energy sufficiency and thereby development in all sectors,” he said.

Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Rohit Kansal gave an overview of the hydropower potential of J&K. He said that the initiative will add more than 3500 MW of energy and will thus help J&K become power surplus UT. We have a natural advantage in hydropower, so we need to exploit it for the benefit of the people, he added.

Screening of film on Hydropower in J&K was one of the main highlights of the event. A video on various activities in the Power Sector in J&K by PDD was also screened on the occasion.

The occasion also witnessed the inauguration of 19 important projects of PDD aimed at greater generation, efficient transmission and better distribution of power supply in J&K during the Mega inauguration ceremony.

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Energy

J&K Solar Expo-2023 begins at Kashmir Haat

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2023

BK Editor

Offers 65% subsidy on rooftop solar, 80% on water pumps

INAM UL HAQ

Srinagar, May 17: Chief Secretary, Arun Kumar Mehta Wednesday inaugurated a week-long mega Solar Expo at Kashmir Haat, Exhibition Ground here.

The expo being held from May 17 to May 23 is being organized by J&K Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) in collaboration with multiple vendors of the renewable energy industry and other line departments of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mehta appreciated JAKEDA for organizing the expo saying that the initiative will immensely help in raising awareness among the people about the benefits of rooftop solar plants and other beneficiary-oriented schemes.

He asked JAKEDA to organize more such awareness camps and expos across other parts of the UT so that people there would know about rooftop solar plant, KUSUM scheme and its financing pattern and benefits.

The Chief Secretary said that renewable sources of energy holds the future and government envisions a future with reduced dependence on fossil fuel by promoting renewable energy sources. He also noted that besides reducing carbon emissions, the generation of solar energy through rooftop solar programme would also offset power requirements of domestic consumers in J&K there by aiding our Power Discoms to provide quality power to rest of the consumers.

He maintained that these are the major initiatives aimed at reducing the dependence of people over fossil fuels for energy. He observed that ultimately the future belongs to renewable energy. He further gave out that the energy besides clean and less hazardous is cost-effective for the people. He encouraged them to readily adopt this futuristic technology for both their domestic and agricultural purposes in order to save their resources and environment as well.

Solar Expo at Kashmir Haat. On the occasion, the Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Saurabh Bhagat remarked that the department is making concerted efforts to promote both schemes. He made out that Under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI’s Schemes, domestic electricity consumers across the UT can install Rooftop Solar PV Plants for electricity purpose and can also avail the benefit of installation of solar-powered pumps under PM-KUSUM in order to fulfil their irrigation needs.

Moreover it was made out that under this Rooftop Solar scheme, subsidy upto 65% is being provided to consumers for installing Solar Photovoltaic rooftops. The solar rooftops are available from 1 KW to 10 KW capacity and five years free maintenance is also provided to the consumers.

About the PM-KUSUM, it was said that the same was launched by the Government of India to increase the income of farmers and provide sources for irrigation for the upliftment of agricultural sector. It was also added that the government entails to provide maximum benefit to farmers from this beneficiary oriented scheme.

The scheme allows the farmers to install subsidized Solar Powered Pumps upto 10 HP capacity for irrigation purposes with a choice of AC/DC surface and submersible pumps. Under the KUSUM scheme, the Central and the UT government provides a subsidy of upto 80% while as the beneficiary/farmer has to bear only 20% cost of the machinery to avail the benefit of the scheme.

Energy

Lt Governor discusses J&K power scenario with experts

Published

4 years ago

January 24, 2021

BK Editor

BK News

Jammu, Jan 24: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Sunday chaired a meeting with the experts from the power sector and officers of J&K Power Distribution Corporation here at Raj Bhavan.

Today’s meeting was the second in a week to assess and analyse the power scenario in the UT and propose solutions for creating a robust power supply system in J&K.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department and Information Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Raja Yaqoob Farooq, MD JKPDCL and Chief Engineers attended the meeting.

Chairperson, Board of Directors, IIT Bhubaneswar and former Chairman and MD PGCIL, Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh led the team of experts from the power sector.

A detailed presentation on “Path to a Healthy and Resilient Power Supply system in Jammu” was given by Former Director General, NPTI and ED Power Grid Corporation, Dr NS Saxena.

While discussing the issues related to streamlining the power supply system, the Lt Governor laid special emphasis on using the latest technologies and models for distribution and link strengthening in critical areas.

The Lt Governor directed the concerned officers of JKPDD and JKPDC to work on war footing to identify critical issues, their probable causes and likely mitigations in order to further improve the scenario of power supply system in J&K. “Things have improved for better but it needs to be made the best,” observed the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also reviewed the implementation of directions and suggestions made during the previous meeting.

A threadbare discussion was held on various power-related issues and short-term solutions were proposed for transformer and link strengthening, augmentation of transmission and distribution system, and future course of action, besides the identification of issues like pilferage, overloading, ageing of transformers and their impact on the power supply.

The Lt Governor was also briefed about the series of discussions and meetings held between the team of experts with JKPDD and JKPDC officials after the last meeting held on 20th January 2021.

Recommendations were made for focusing on immediate and short-term plans to strengthen the infrastructure to ensure improved power supply status in Jammu region to cater to peak load surge during coming summer, besides identification and aligning on critical gaps.

The chair was further informed about the extensive exploratory meetings and surveys done with the local teams on transmission sites and distribution issues.

It was informed that system strengthening is in progress under various schemes of the Government under which several 33/11 KV substations are being erected for better power supply to various under-serviced areas.

Energy

Union Cabinet approves Rs 5282 cr investment for 850MW Ratle HEP

Published

4 years ago

January 20, 2021

BK Editor

LG Sinha announces decision, says it will make J&K power surplus

BK News

Jammu/Srinagar, Jan 20: Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved Rs 5282 crore investment for 850MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project (HEP) on River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.

The Ratle HEP will be constructed by a joint venture company incorporated between NHPC and JKSPDC with equity contributions of 51% and 49% respectively, according to a statement by the Government of India.

Later on the day, Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Kumar Sinha held a press conference in Jammu to announce the Union Cabinet’s decision.

The LG, according to J&K Government statement, termed it a historical decision for making J&K power surplus UT.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the HEP and ensuring the development of Jammu & Kashmir.

He blamed the previous governments for what he called their lackluster approach towards the execution of the project.

Lt Governor said that Jammu & Kashmir was deprived of this mega project for so long because “the previous regimes were scared to move ahead” due to Pakistan’s threats of going to International court for arbitration, and making representation in the World Bank.

“But, today the nation is under the strong and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is taking bold decisions for the welfare of the people of J&K and has ensured that this project sees the light of the day, besides also providing Equity contribution support to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” the LG said.

“J&K is witnessing unprecedented growth and development in every sector; we are unlocking J&K’s potential to be self-reliant in the energy sector within a short span of time.”

Highlights Rs 5282 cr investment for 850MW Ratle HEP

Highlighting the key features of the mega project, the Lt Governor said that apart from making J&K energy sufficient, the 850MW Ratle HEPwill create 4000 jobs in J&K, directly & indirectly, and will contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the UT. In addition, the Kwar project (540 MW) has been decided to be taken up. This will result in an investment of Rs.4,264 Crores and create more than 2000 jobs in the UT, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that four more projects (Kirthai-II (930MW), Sawalkot (1,856MW), Uri-I (Stage-II) (240MW), and Dulhasti (Stage-II) (258MW) involving an investment of Rs.31,000 Cr have also been decided to be taken up for construction. These projects together with the two ongoing projects of Pakaldul (1000 MW) and Kiru (624MW) on Chenab river and its tributaries will result in an investment of about Rs.52,821 Crores and create more than 12000 jobs in the Union Territory.

To train the local people, the Ministry of Power / Ministry of Skill Development proposes to set up training centres near the project sites in collaboration with NHPC Ltd, so that they can be employed in the projects, observed the Lt Governor.

The government of India is also supporting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by providing a grant of Rs 776.44 crore for the Equity contribution of JKSPDC in the JVC to be set up for the construction of the Ratle HEP (850 MW). NHPC will invest its equity Rs 808.14 crore from its internal resources.

Ratle HEP will be commissioned within a span of 60 months. The Power generated from the project will help in providing balancing of Grid and will improve the power supply position.

J&K Government will extend the exemption from levy of Water Usage Charges for 10 years after commissioning of the project, reimbursement of State’s share of GST (i.e. SGST), and waiver of free power to the State in a decremental manner, i.e., the free power to the State would be 1% in the first year after COD and rising at1% per year to 12% in the 12th year.

The construction activities of the Project will result in direct and indirect employment to around 4000 persons and will contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Further, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be benefitted from free power of around Rs 5289 crore and Rs 9581 crore with Water Usage Charges from Ratle Hydro Electric Project, during the project life cycle of 40 years.

Prominent among others, present on the occasion were BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary, and Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, and Information Department, besides senior officers of Civil Administration.