Srinagar, Aug 28 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has set an ambitious target of increasing its operational hydropower generation capacity to nearly 11,000 MW by December 2035, more than three times its present installed capacity, officials said on Friday.
The roadmap, aimed at strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on power purchased from outside the Union Territory, was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo here.
The UT currently has an installed hydropower capacity of 3,540.15 MW and plans to raise it to 10,969.65 MW by 2035 through phased commissioning of major projects, officials said.
The meeting reviewed the physical and financial progress of hydropower projects under execution, their construction and commissioning schedules and measures required to ensure timely addition of generation capacity.
Dulloo stressed the need for sustained inter-departmental coordination, close project monitoring and timely removal of bottlenecks to ensure that the targeted commissioning schedules are adhered to.
Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar said J&K has an identified hydropower potential of 14,635 MW, of which around 24.21 per cent has so far been harnessed.
The Chenab Basin accounts for the largest share of the identified potential at 11,283 MW, followed by the Jhelum Basin with 3,084 MW and the Ravi Basin with 500 MW, he said.
According to Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited, Rahul Yadav, the first major capacity addition is expected through the commissioning of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul, 624 MW Kiru and 12 MW Karnah hydropower projects.
The commissioning of the 37.5 MW Parnai project is expected to further increase the cumulative capacity, while the 540 MW Kwar and 850 MW Ratle projects are targeted to add another 1,390 MW in 2028.
By December 2029, another 500 MW is expected to be added through Central Sector projects, including the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II and 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II projects.
The subsequent phase between 2031 and 2035 will include commissioning of the 820 MW Kirthai-II, 390 MW Kirthai-I and 1,856 MW Sawalkote projects, taking the total installed hydropower capacity to 10,969.65 MW.
Reviewing the progress of projects currently under construction, officials said Pakal Dul has achieved 85 per cent physical progress and 77.54 per cent financial progress.
Testing and commissioning of Units 3 and 4 is scheduled for March 2027, followed by Units 1 and 2 in May-June 2027.
The 624 MW Kiru project has recorded 88.75 per cent physical progress, with commissioning targeted for March 2027.
The 540 MW Kwar project has achieved 37.82 per cent physical progress, while excavation of its powerhouse cavern is nearly complete. It is targeted for commissioning by March 2028.
The 850 MW Ratle project has registered 31.53 per cent physical progress, with the underground powerhouse cavern excavation completed. Full commissioning is envisaged by November 2028.
Among UT-sector projects, the 12 MW Karnah project has reached 93 per cent completion and is on track for wet commissioning, while the 37.5 MW Parnai project has achieved 72.5 per cent physical progress.
The government expects the expansion of hydropower generation to provide a stronger energy base for industry, infrastructure, tourism and other economic activities and help J&K move towards greater energy self-reliance and eventually become power surplus.—(NVI)
