Srinagar, July 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today made extensive reviews of major hydro and solar power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, which paid faster attention to intensifying the execution deadlines and solving the bottlenecks.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dullu, Additional Chief Secretary of CM Dhirj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Satosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary Electricity Development Department Rajesh H Prasad, Managing Director Jammu/Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited and others related.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of major power projects including 1856 MW MW MW Hydro Electric Project, 93 MW New Genderbel Hep, 48 MW Came Kalnai Hep, and 5 MW Solar Energy Project in Pampor.
Due to the outstanding electricity bills of commercial electricity consumers, the arrears were also discussed and the Electricity Development Department gave details of the steps being taken for recovery and expected revenue protection in the case of those schemes, which will be proposed by the department for recovery of arrears.
Reviewing the new Genderbal and Lower Kalanai hydro projects, both have seen long delays due to contractual and financial challenges, the Chief Minister instructed the concerned departments to locate viable options to accelerate the implementation. He emphasized the need to take timely decisions to increase further costs and to prevent lack of energy.
The 5 MW Solar Energy Project is being implemented in Pampore through SECI. The Chief Minister instructed for a cost-profit analysis in the light of the existing solar tariff and put the inactive land available in Pampore for productive use for the solar project.
The meeting also discussed the draft Hydro Power Policy 2025, which aims to change the 2011 policy and open new avenues for private investment through independent power manufacturer (IPP) and public-private partnership (PPP) models. The policy includes transparent allocation mechanisms, financial incentives, streamlined approval, and guaranteed power off-tech-all are designed to invest in renewable energy. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his government’s commitment for sustainable development, clean energy and inclusive development. (KDC)
