Golden Power Policy okayed, targets Rs 4K cr annual income in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Pratibha Chauhan

Shimla, January 14

Cash-strapped Himachal is hoping to improve its financial health by generating Rs 4,000 crore annual income by tapping 10,000 MW additional green energy by 2030, as per the Golden Jubilee Power Policy 2021 approved by the Cabinet today.

As per the power policy, coinciding with the golden jubilee year of Himachal’s statehood, an investment of almost Rs 2 lakh crore will be made in the sector and it will create much-needed employment avenues for almost one lakh people. “The Department of Power has already prepared a vision document aiming at generating 10,000 MW of additional electricity from hydro, solar and green energy sources, for which various provisions have been made,” said RD Dhiman, Additional Chief Secretary (Power).

The policy aims at developing Himachal as the “Water Battery” of the country and at the same time encouraging tapping of green hydrogen energy. To promote interest in the hydro-power sector among investors, a provision has been made to offer standalone incentives for pump storage schemes, which includes major waivers with regard to free power and land acquisition. A provision has also been made to give a major relaxation in open excess for both input and output power in case of projects up to 5 MW.

The policy also envisages single window clearance for power projects along with the use of GIS mapping, centralised data and an IT support system. Also, the Energy Power Management System will be implemented to generate more revenue from the powder sector.

The major highlights of the amendments made to the Himachal Pradesh Hydro Power Policy 2021 include the preparation of a Transmission Master Plan to facilitate timely completion of hydro power and solar energy plants. Another highlight is a provision for retrofitting, hybridization and creation of additional storage in existing power projects to enhance their generation capacity.

The policy also aims at integrating tourism with the power sector by creating watch towers, houseboats, shikaras, picnic spots, camping sites and facilities for water sports. Another integral part of the new policy is encouraging community ownership during execution, running and maintenance of power projects.

To integrate tourism with power sector

• The policy aims at developing Himachal as the ‘Water Battery’ of the country
• Encourage tapping of green hydrogen energy.
• Envisages single window clearance for power projects along with the use of GIS mapping, centralised data and an IT support system.
• Prepare a Transmission Master Plan to facilitate timely completion of hydro power and solar energy plants.
• Aims at integrating tourism with the power sector by creating watch towers, houseboats, shikaras, picnic spots, camping sites and facilities for water sports.

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