Hydro power potential in Ladakh

Er. Nazir Ahmad
Recently “Indus water Treaty” (IWT) has been brought into limelight with GOI constituting an “Empowered Task Force” (TF) headed by the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary to look into all aspects of the treaty. The Chief Secretary J&K is an “invitee” in this task force. As per news item the TF is mandated with taking all important strategic and policy decisions regarding the treaty. It is  reported that in an earlier meeting held by the PM, it was also decided that India would exploit to the maximum water of Pakistan controlled rivers including Jhelum.
Being a resident of Ladakh and having worked on mini hydro projects in Ladakh for a decade, this news report prompted me to bring into focus the hydro power potential in Ladakh within the provisions of ”Indus water Treaty”. It is also intended to draw attention of Public Representatives of Ladakh (Leh & Kargil to bring it to the notice of the empowered Task Force.
“Indus water treaty“(IWT) – the historic water sharing agreement of river systems in Punjab & J&K between the Govts. Of India & Pakistan draws its name from “Indus River”. All major rivers of north India – Beas, Sutlej & Ravi in Punjab and Chenab and Jhelum in J&K are tributaries to “Indus” as it flows into Arabian Sea. Originates in western Tibet as “Sengge Zangpo” in the vicinity of Mount Kailash and Lake Masarovar, river Indus runs its course through Ladakh for around 400km’s before entering Skardu Baltistan. Within Ladakh, major tributaries to Indus are – Zanaskar at Nimoo Leh, Suru and Drass Rivers in Kargil and Shyok and Siachan rivers in Nubra Valley. These rivers have huge hydro power potential and are economically viable, as it flow through steep narrow valleys with high velocity. Yet it is ironic that no concrete action has been taken to harness hydro power potential of Ladakh within the provisions of IWT. It appears that authorities at highest level too have not been fully briefed about power potential of Indus and its tributaries in Ladakh, if news reports referred to above are to be believed.
It is widely accepted that J&K has untapped hydro power potential of around 20,000 Mw, of which 16475 MW have been identified. It includes 1608 MW in Indus basin. Out of identified potential (16475MW), 3263 Mw has been exploited so far, which constitutes 19.8 % of identified potential. Besides, on Chenab basin 3 projects – Pakal-Dul, Kiru & Kwar, with aggregate capacity of 2164 Mw entrusted to Chenab Valley Power projects ltd (CVPP) have reportedly been cleared by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and tendering are under process. Also, on Chenab basin, 1000 Mw Ratle HE project has been allotted to a private developer on Built, Finance, operate & transfer (BOFT) model of PPP. However, in case Indus basin, hydro power exploited so far is 93.5 Mw (incl. NHPC projects), which is only 5 % of identified potential. The disparity is obvious. Evidently, the hydro power potential in Ladakh and its economic viability has not received due attention of Planners / policy makers.
As per official documents of J&K SPDC titled ” Hydro Power Opportunities in Ladakh”, 4 potential sites have been identified on main Indus with a power potential of 760 MWs. These are : i) Ulitopo – 85MW, ii) Khalsi – 90MW, iii) Dumkhar – 70 MW, iv) Achinathang – Sanjak – 220 MW, v) Sunit – 295 mw.
Similarly, 4 sites have been identified in Kargil on Drass – Suru rivers with potential of295 MWs. These are : i) Parkachik-Panikhar on river Suru – 100MW, ii) Drass- Suru stage-I – 35MW, iii) Drass- Suru stage-II – 60 MW,
iv) Kirkit on river Drass – in range of 100 MW or higher.
Govt. of J&K has formulated “J&K state hydroelectric projects development Policy, 2011”, notified vide Govt. order No. PDD of 2011 dated 07-07-2011. This policy is applicable to projects of installed capacity of 2 – 100 Mw. The policy envisages offering potential feasible sites (identified by PDC) to Independent power producers (IPP) / intending Developers on Built, Finance, operate & transfer (BFOT) model of PPP for a concession period of 35 years with 15% free power to State Govt. and 1% for Local Area Dev. Fund during concession period. The liability of State is limited to provide land on lease / rent, power purchase agreement & sale tax exemption.
Power grid corp. Of India is laying 220KVA transmission line between Srinagar and Leh, which is reportedly designed to transmit around 300 Mw of power. This project is scheduled for completion in Oct. 2017. The generation from power projects now in operation in Ladakh including NHPC projects of Nimu-Bazgo & chutuk is just sufficient to cater to requirements of local population and Armed forces within Ladakh. Thus hardly any surplus power is likely to be available for transmission.
Till recent past the demand of hydro power projects in Ladakh was shot down mainly on grounds of non-availability of transmission line, besides operational constraints during winter and demand. All these perceptions have now been dispelled with successful operation of hydro power stations both by JKPDC and NHPCC round the year. With completion of 220 KVA transmission line next year, infrastructure for transmission of around 300 Mw of power shall remain idle, as no power projects are approved for development in near future. At present only 2 micro projects of 11Mw are under development by PDC in Dha Hanu area.
Now that IWT is in limelight and GOI has constituted an Empowered Task Force (ETF) for maximum utilization of power potential of rivers in J&K within provisions of IWT, it is right time for LAHDC’s Leh &Kargil and elected representatives of Ladakh to make a joint representation before the EFT regarding funding of power projects in Ladakh. This can be done either by direct funding to JKPDC or take up through NHPCC as IPP within the framework of J&K Hydel Policy, 2011. It should also emphasised that rivers are the only reliable natural resource in Ladakh and commitment of present Govt. for equitable development of Ladakh shall fructify only if power potential of the region is harnessed.
To attract private investors, LAHDC’s Leh & kargil, in collaboration with  PDC, should approach reputed private developers and organize site visit to dispel perception of difficult working conditions in Ladakh and also appraise about Power policy of State for IPP’s. In this era of private investment, if development of Highways with “Toll” as revenue based on future traffic projections can attract private investment, there appears no logic why investors shall not be inclined to invest in power sector where reliable resource (water), transmission line and provision of power purchase is provided in J&KPDC Hydel policy 2011.
(The author is former Information Commissioner)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com

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