Chief Secretary reviews draft J&K
Hydro Power Policy 2025
JAMMU, APRIL 3:
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a meeting held to review the draft
Jammu and Kashmir Hydro Power Policy 2025, emphasising the Union Territory's
significant potential in hydropower generation and its role in economic
development.
The Chief Secretary
highlighted the vast opportunities in the power sector, stating that Jammu and
Kashmir possess immense potential for power generation which can substantially
boost the region's economy. He also underscored the necessity of reducing power
losses, noting that such inefficiencies constitute a substantial drain on
resources.
The draft policy
aims to attract the private investment in hydropower generation by revising the
existing framework. It proposes categorising hydroelectric projects into two
segments: Small Hydroelectric Projects (up to 25 MW) and Large Hydroelectric
Projects (above 25 MW and up to 100 MW). The Jammu and Kashmir Energy
Development Agency (JAKEDA) has been designated as the nodal agency for
projects up to 10 MW, while the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation
Limited (JKPDCL) will oversee the projects above 10 MW.
The meeting was
attended by Principal Secretary Power Development Department, H. Rajesh Prasad;
Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh Dattatraya Vaidya; Managing Director
JKPDCL, Pankaj Magotra and Managing Director, Jammu Power Distribution
Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and JKPCL, Ch Mohd Yasin besides others.
The discussions
focussed on finalising the policy framework to effectively harness the Jammu
and Kashmir's hydropower potential, aiming to attract private investment and
promote sustainable development in the region.
It is pertinent to
mention that the UT administration will also hold consultations with the
stakeholders on this account.