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The Himachal Pradesh government has initiated the process of taking over three hydropower projects previously allotted to SJVN, including the 382 MW Sunni project, as part of its efforts to secure greater benefits from the state's natural resources. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also directed officials to renegotiate the terms of the 500 MW Duggar hydroelectric project being developed by NHPC following proposed changes to its design. Separately, the state highlighted the resolution of the long-pending Kishau dam project, under which Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive 211 MW of free power without capital investment, generating an estimated INR 600 crore in annual revenue.
The Himachal Pradesh government has directed officials to initiate the process of taking over three hydropower projects that were previously allotted to SJVN, including the 382 MW Sunni hydroelectric project. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the state's power department chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the past week, according to an official statement.
The projects identified for takeover include the 382 MW Sunni hydroelectric project, the 210 MW Luhri Stage-I hydroelectric project and the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydroelectric project. The state government has instructed the concerned departments to begin the necessary administrative process for assuming control of these developments.
Addressing the meeting, Sukhu said hydropower remained the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's economy and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that the state's hydropower resources deliver greater benefits to its residents. He stated that the government was taking measures to safeguard the state's interests and secure its rightful share from its natural resources while ensuring their optimum utilisation for public welfare.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to renegotiate the terms and conditions of the 500 MW Duggar hydroelectric project, which is being developed by NHPC. According to the state government, the revision has been sought after the developer proposed increasing the height of the dam. Sukhu said the revised project parameters should be reflected in the commercial and operational terms so that Himachal Pradesh receives benefits commensurate with the modified design.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the 422 MW Kishau dam project, where the state government said it had resolved an eight-year impasse surrounding the development. According to Sukhu, the revised arrangement ensures that Himachal Pradesh will not be required to make any capital investment in the project while becoming entitled to 211 MW of free power.
The state government estimates that the allocation of free power from the Kishau project will generate nearly INR 600 crore in annual revenue once the project becomes operational. Officials said the revised arrangement is intended to strengthen the state's long-term revenue generation from hydropower resources without requiring direct capital expenditure.
The decisions form part of the Himachal Pradesh government's broader approach towards reviewing hydropower projects and seeking revised commercial arrangements aimed at increasing the state's share of benefits from its natural resource assets while advancing public welfare objectives.
Source - PTI
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