JAMMU: Together with existing projects and with addition of new projects upon completion, Jammu and Kashmir could be producing more than 5,000 Mega Watts of electricity by the year 2020 –this will still be just 30 percent of the identified potential of the hydel resource rich region.
With the completion of four hydro power projects in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the government will tap 30 per cent of the identified power potential of 16,475 Mega Watt in next four years.
“The Jammu and Kashmir will produce 5069.5 MegaWatt (MW) in the year 2024 after the completion of four under-construction projects in district Poonch and Kishtwar. The 5069.5 Mega Watt (MW) is 30 per cent of the total identified power potential of 16,475 Mega Watt in the Union Territory,” an official told The Dispatch.
Jammu and Kashmir is presently generating 3360 MW from 11 hydro projects, which is 20 per cent of the total identified potential.
“The four projects including 3 in district Kishtwar and 1 in district Poonch after their completion in 2024 will add 1709.5 MW to the total power generation,” he told The Dispatch.
Three hydro projects including Kiru of 624.00 MW, Lower Kalnai of 48.00 MW and Pakal Dul of 1000 MW are under construction in district Kistwar while Parnai of 37.50 MW under construction in district Poonch will be completed by 2024, he emphasised.
Jammu and Kashmir has an estimated hydro-power potential of is 20,000 Megawatts (MW), of which about 16,475 MW have been identified so far.
This comprises 11,283 MW in Chenab basin, 3,084 MW in Jhelum basin, 500 MW in Ravi Basin and 1608 MW in Indus basin. Only 3,360.00 MW, about 20 per cent of the identified potential of 16,475 MW and only about 16 per cent of the estimated potential of 20,000 MW has been exploited until now.
It is pertinent to mention here that Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) has drastically failed to recover pending electricity bills from consumers under different categories, which has touched to staggering Rs 9321.71 crore.
Moreover, from the total pending dues, 63.66 per cent are of state and centre department in both regions of J&K.
Out of the total pending power liabilities, Rs 3274.40 crore are due from the consumers of Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) while Rs 6047.31 crore are of consumers of Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL), the data accessed by this newspaper revealed.
Ironically, 63.66 per cent of the total unpaid power bills, which makes for Rs 5935.05 crore are of government departments in both regions of Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir | |
