Jammu, Mar 5: The Jammu and Kashmir government, in collaboration with the central authorities, has formulated a Resource Adequacy (RA) plan extending to 2035, marking a significant advancement toward energy self-reliance in the region, stated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.
Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp for the Latest News
In response to an unstarred question posed by National Conference MLA Shamim Firdous in the assembly, Abdullah affirmed the government’s commitment to providing 200 units of free electricity to consumers, as promised in their party manifesto.
“This RA plan is a pivotal step towards self-sufficiency. J&K has developed this roadmap in conjunction with the Government of India to enhance power generation capacity through the development of local plants and arrangements for supplementary power supplies,” Abdullah elaborated.
He added that J&K has already secured Power Purchase Agreements for 393 MW of thermal power from six different generators as part of this strategy.
“Moving forward, we will implement the RA plan to secure energy stability and deliver a continuous power supply throughout the year by accessing diversified generation sources at reasonable prices,” he said.
To achieve self-sufficiency in power production and ensure uninterrupted electricity for consumers, Abdullah noted that the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) is focusing on hydroelectric projects.
In partnership with the NHPC, JKSPDC has established joint ventures, including the Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL) and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL), to execute several new initiatives in the Union Territory.
These initiatives encompass projects such as the 1000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP, 540 MW Kwar HEP, and 850 MW Ratle HEP located on the Chenab River at Kishtwar, amounting to a total capacity of 3014 MW, with expected commissioning by 2027, the chief minister noted.
Additionally, JKSPDC is working on the 37.5 MW Parnai HEP in Poonch district and the 12 MW Karnah HEP in Kupwara district.
“By 2027-28, this will bring the total capacity addition to 3063 MW. Furthermore, the 48 MW Lower Kalnai HEP and the 93 MW New Ganderbal HEP have already been tendered,” he added.
Abdullah mentioned several major projects in the pipeline, including the 390 MW Kirthai-I, 258 MW Dulhasti-II, 800 MW Bursar, 1856 MW Sawalkote, 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II, 89 MW Ujh, and 930 MW Kirthai-II, all slated for future development.
While these projects will significantly enhance J&K’s power generation capacity upon completion, Abdullah acknowledged that hydro power plants often face reduced output during winter months.
To attain self-reliance in power generation, he emphasized the necessity of a balanced energy mix, incorporating thermal and nuclear power, along with external power procurement.
“We are also prioritizing renewable energy as a sustainable solution to meet the escalating demand and to adhere to our global climate change responsibilities,” he added.
Regarding the implementation of the 200 units of free electricity initiative, the chief minister indicated that detailed steps would be outlined during the grant request discussions for the sector. (Agencies)
