6000 MW power to be generated

6000 MW power to be generated in next 10 years

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved Hydroelectric Project Development Policy 2011 to harness State's huge hydle potential of 20,000 MW said Minister of State for Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan in his address during State Power Ministers conference held here today.

The conference was chaired by Union Power Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde and attended by State Power Ministers.

The Minister said under the policy, Government has also approved a multipronged strategy for setting up the power projects purely as State projects, through the joint venture mechanism, PPP mode and Built, Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis.

He said a road map has been drawn up for generating around 6000 MW of power during next 10 years in the State, adding that three projects with a total capacity of 329 MW are expected to be commissioned in the State during current year.

Giving details of the power projects being executed in the State, Mr. Shabir said the 2120 MW Pakadul, Kiru and Kawar projects are being executed in joint venture with NHPC and PTC. The JVC has been incorporated and it has started functioning, he said and added that 820 MW Rattle project allotted to one IPP through international tariff based bidding on fast track, is likely to be commissioned in 2017.

The Minister said with a view to overcome the operational inefficiencies leading to high AT&C losses, the State Government has engaged a National reputed consultancy M/s Energy and Resources Institute New Delhi for preparing a blue print for bringing about a 'Turn Around' in the power sector. The State Government has initiated multipronged action for implementation of the recommendations of the consultancy, he added.

The Minister said State Electricity Regularity Commission has been made fully functional to ensure metering of all connections and recovery of revenue for power supplied at tariff, adding that tariff petitions are being filed regularly before the Commission.