Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Mar 23: J&K’s first ever Wind Energy Project, which was announced in the year 2012, nine years back, has remained on papers despite fixing of numerous timelines for start of work as Government has so far failed to start the project.
As per the information, in the year 2012 National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) situated at Chennai, had started survey in Jammu and Kashmir to ascertain wind energy potential. Accordingly, Wind Masts were installed at various locations throughout the UT by NIWE for assessment of wind power potential.
However, only one site was found feasible for development of Wind Power Project-at village Bidda in Reasi district. During the course of assessment, it emerged that the site has a potential of 8 Mega Watts to 10 Mega Watts of wind power that could be tapped using appropriate technology.
In the first phase, it was decided that Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) would develop 6 MW Wind Power Project on pilot basis under the Wind Demonstration Scheme of Union Government. Even land was identified at Bidda for the Wind Energy Project.
Thereafter, the entire exercise came to the standstill as the land identified for the first ever Wind Energy Project of J&K was leased out to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation at the time of construction of Salal Hydro Power Project in Reasi, whereas transfer of this land to Science and Technology Department was imperative for the execution of the project, sources said.
Despite being aware of the fact that there is land transfer issue, the Government issued official statements from time to time fixing different dates for start of work on the Wind Energy Project. This can be gauged from the fact that during the Budget Session of 2017-18, then Government had on the floor of Legislative Assembly stated that work on Wind Energy Project at Bidda would begin during 2017-18 financial year at a cost of Rs 46 crore. It was also mentioned that JAKEDA had made all the arrangements to exploit the available potential with the financial support from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
Sources further add that the particular area in Bidda has the potential for Wind Energy Project and transfer of land by the NHPC is the only way out. As fate of the project is hanging in balance during the past nearly nine years, the Government should show some sort of seriousness to commence the project at the earliest so that apart from clean electricity, locals may l get employment also in the project, said the people of Reasi.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
