Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 27: The central government is all set to increase the power generating potential of Jammu and Kashmir with standing directions from union ministry of power being issued to the state in this regard in near future.
Official sources have divulged to the Early Times that after the central government declared Jammu and Kashmir as a union territory, all its affairs including the power generation and distribution have now come directly under the control of central government, thus make it all responsible for ensuring better harnessing of the hydro energy.
As per the reports, the Jammu and Kashmir government used to purchase energy from various sources comprising of hydro thermal, nuclear energy generated from various central public service undertakings like NTPC, NHPC, SJVNL, THDC and NPCL. Some requirement is also met through energy exchange and through the banking arrangements.
The department of Power, said official sources, gets free power from various projects as which has been constructed by NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports inform that the central government is keen to harness more power from Jammu and Kashmir's waters and has highlighted how the hydro potential in the state can be tapped as the hydro power in JK is about 20 thousand MW out of which 3263.46 MW stands harnessed by JKSPDC, NHPC and IPP. 817 MW is planned in future to be harnessed by JKSPDC, NHPC and Chenab Valley Power Projects LTD, which used to be a Joint venture between JKSPDC, NHPC and PTC in the ratio of 49:49:2 and IPP's.
The central government as per the sources is also planning to harness solar power in the state and same shall be accused by the National Institute of Solar Energy. "Power paucity used to be a great cause of concern for one and all in the state. The central government now is making believed to be making hectic efforts in addressing such crises. It is to be seen whether the efforts will now bear fruit as detailed reports are being sought from the sat administration about where and how more power could be generated and people are provided a sigh of relief from frequent power cuts and land shedding," says an official.
According to him, there are also chances that the royalty given by the NHPC to Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be renewed as now the power distribution shall directly be handled by the central government and no more Memorandums of Understandings are required any longer. |
