Energy deficit in J&K reduces from 17.8 pc to 1.5 pc: Singh

2791 MW power allocated to UT from CGSs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 19: Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy RK Singh today said energy deficit in Jammu and Kashmir has been reduced from 17.8 percent during the year 2018-19 to 1.5 percent during 2023-24 (up to November 2023).
He gave this information in Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
“As on November 2023, 2791 MW of power has been allocated to UT of J&K from Central Generating Stations (CGSs). Ministry of Power has also been allocating additional power to the UT of J&K to help them to meet the increased demand of power during the winter months,” Singh said.
He added that the Ministry of Power has made additional allocation of 393 MW for the month of December-23, 443 MW for the months of January 2024 & February 2024 and 593 MW for the month of March 2024 to the Union Territory of J&K.
“The major initiative for development of hydropower in Jammu and Kashmir was taken jointly by Governments of India and Jammu and Kashmir for transforming J&K into an energy surplus UT. The objective was achieved by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 03.01.2021 between Government of J&K and NHPC,” the Union Power Minister said.
Under the MoU, he added, three projects with total installed capacity of 2354 MW viz. Uri (Stage-11) 240 MW, Dulhasti (Stage-II) 258 MW and Sawalkote HEP-1856 MW were given to NHPC for development on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. Besides, 930 MW Kirthai II HEP was given to Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPPL) for development in Joint Venture mode.
Singh said the Governments of India and Jammu and Kashmir have also created Rattle Hydro Power Development Corporation Limited – a JV company between NHPC and JKPDC for the development of 850 MW Rattle HEP. The project is currently under execution and is expected to be commissioned by May 2026.
He said the Chenab Valley Power Projects [P] Ltd. (CVPPPL) has been entrusted with construction of various projects on Build, Own, Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis with aggregate installed capacity of 3094 MW including 1000 MW Pakal Dul HEP (project under execution and expected to be completed by September 2026), 624 MW Kiru HEP (project under execution and expected to be completed by March, 2026), 540 MW Kwar HEP (project under execution and expected to be completed by November, 2026) and 930 MW Kirthai- II HEP (Revised TEC under consideration by CEA, MoP GoI)
In addition, JKSPDC, an undertaking of UT of J&K, has identified 14 projects with aggregate Installed capacity of 738.5 MW for execution, which include two under construction projects (37.5MW Parnai HEP & 12 MW Karnah). The 12 MW Karnah HEP was awarded in September, 2019 and is expected to be completed by July, 2024 whereas the Parnal HEP is expected to be completed by September 2025. These projects are being executed in the frontier districts of Poonch and Kupwara.
93 MW New Ganderbal & 48 MW Lower Kalnai HEPs is at advanced stage of tendering. Another project namely 390 MW Kirthal-ll is at the appraisal stage by Central Electricity Authority, Singh said.
He added that from the aforementioned projects, around 7000 MW hydro power capacity addition in phased manner in hydro power generation is expected in next 8 to 10 years.
“The development of these projects shall have a great impact on the overall economic development of J&K including employment generation of otherwise economically backward areas,” the Power Minister said.
The physical progress on Ratle, Kiru, Kwar and Karnah projects has been 10.35 percent, 24.03 percent, 8.19 percent and 53.82 percent respectively, the Power Minister said.