Kashmir to fully tap hydro power

JAMMU - Keeping Jammu and Kashmir’s immense hydro energy potential in mind, the state is drawing up a comprehensive plan to put in place a three-track hydro power generation strategy and rope in investors in the field.

The decision was taken Thursday at a meeting of senior government officials with the Himalayan Power Producers Association here Thursday.

“We have to take faster steps to make good use of the available water resources and fill up the gap between demand and generation in the power sector,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said at a meeting.

He said, “Jammu and Kashmir, with the highest hydro energy potential, should not lag behind in meeting the electricity requirement”.

The draft power policy will be placed on the internet in the public domain to receive suggestions, comments and views from experts and the general public in order to make the document comprehensive, holistic and befitting, a statement said.

Under the three-tier power development programme, the power projects will be constructed in public-private partnership, inviting investment from outside and by the state government itself in the public sector.

The state has embarked upon gigantic programmes to double its power production in the next five years and add nearly 3,000 MW to the system in the same period. Currently, the state is generating 1,800 MW.

Omar welcomed the proposal of Himalayan Power Producers Association for constructing small hydro projects in the state. He said the government would provide all facilities to the producers in this regard and asked them to liaison with local players and come up with proposals for small power projects.

The president, HPPA, Arun Sharma said the association has successfully launched projects in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, the northeast states, Nepal and Bhutan. “We want to extend our technical expertise and help to Jammu and Kashmir in the power energy sector,” Sharma said.