State focuses on harnessing hydropower potential

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 18

After achieving the target of electrification of all villages in Himachal, the state government is now focusing on harnessing hydel power potential and strengthening transmission and distribution of electricity to provide quality power to consumers.

According to a government release, the state government is harnessing 265-MW power in the public sector alone. So far, the state has harnessed 10,264 MW out of which 830 MW was harnessed in 2015-16. To avoid delays, power projects are being given timeline.

Under the state sector, it is expected that power generation will start from 65-MW Kashang, 100-MW Sainj and 100-MW Uhal hydel power project during this financial year.

”To conserve energy, LED bulbs are being made available to domestic consumers below the market price and over 22 lakh consumers have benefited,” the release added.

The state government has prepared a revised solar energy policy to construct grid interactive rooftop solar projects under which 70 per cent financial assistance power will be made available at Rs 5 per unit to people under metering scheme.

The restructured accelerated power development and reforms programme is being implemented in 14 towns. The work has been completed in Mandi, Chamba, Kullu and Una towns.

The Deen Dayal Upadhayay Gram Jyoti Yojana is also being started in the state with the help of the Centre. The scheme amounting to Rs 159 crore aims at strengthening the power distribution system in the state.

To improve the financial aspect of the HPSEBL, the state government has taken over the loan liability of Rs 564 crore of the board and it will also pay the loan amounting to Rs 56 crore during 2016-17. Besides, the government will provide financial assistance of Rs 50 crore to the HPSEBL for upgrading the rural lines by installing new poles and transformers.