Srinagar, Mar 05: Jammu and Kashmir, in consultation with the central government, has formulated a Resource Adequacy (RA) plan till 2035, a significant move towards making the region self-reliant in the energy sector, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
In a written reply to an unstarred question posed by National Conference MLA Shamim Firdous in the Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing 200 units of free electricity to consumers, as promised in the party’s manifesto.
Terming the Resource Adequacy (RA) plan as a major step towards energy independence, Abdullah explained that the plan outlines crucial measures to increase power generation. This includes the development of local power plants as well as securing power from external sources.
“As part of this strategy, Jammu and Kashmir has already signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for 393 MW of thermal power from six power generators,” Abdullah stated.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister assured that the administration will continue to implement measures under the RA plan to ensure year-round energy security and a surplus power supply. “We will secure affordable power from diverse sources to meet the growing energy demand,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of hydropower, Abdullah emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) is prioritizing the development of hydroelectric power projects to make the region self-reliant in electricity production in collaboration with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has formed joint ventures like Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL) and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL) to implement key projects.
These include the 1000 MW Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project, 624 MW Kiru Hydroelectric Project, 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Project, and the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project, all located on the Chenab River in Kishtwar, with a combined capacity of 3,014 MW. These projects are expected to be commissioned by 2027.
Additionally, JKSPDC is working on smaller projects like the 37.5 MW Parnai Hydroelectric Project in Poonch district and the 12 MW Karnah Hydroelectric Project in Kupwara. With these developments, the total power capacity addition is expected to reach 3,063 MW by 2027-28.
The Chief Minister further noted that major future projects such as the 390 MW Kirthai-I, 258 MW Dulhasti-II, 800 MW Bursar, 1,856 MW Sawalkote, and several others are also in the pipeline.
However, Abdullah acknowledged that hydropower projects typically face reduced generation during the winter months due to lower water levels. To ensure continued energy supply, he stressed the need for a balanced energy mix that includes thermal and nuclear power, alongside renewable energy sources.
“Renewable energy will play a critical role in meeting the growing demand while also helping us fulfill our international climate change commitments,” he said.
On the commitment to providing 200 units of free electricity, the Chief Minister assured that further details would be shared during the demand for grants for the power sector.
