Power ministry allocates 1972 MW additional electricity for J&K amid rising demand
Power ministry on Friday said it has allocated an additional 1972 MW of electricity for Jammu & Kashmir to take care of the urgent power requirement in union territory.
In a meeting with power minister RK Singh, the Lieutenant Governor of the union territory Manoj Sinha said the current demand of J&K had touched around 2800 MW with a deficit of approximately 1400 MW.
The power ministry has allocated 1,500 MW from the central pool to meet the winter requirements of J&K.
While under the Shakti policy, the union territory will get 472 MW, for which, a power purchase agreement is proposed to be signed by the end of December.
Sinha sought additional funds under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for upgradation and modernisation of the distribution infrastructure in the UT, including replacement of outdated conductors, transformers and poles.
Singh said the ministry will positively consider the proposal for the development of J&K.
Power generation capacity in J&K will be doubled in the coming 3-4 years, Singh said.
He added that four mega hydro electric projects with total capacity of 3,014 MW – 1,000MW PakalDul, 624 MW Kiru, 540 MW Kwar and 830 MW Ratle — which were either stalled or could not commence due to various issues have been fast-tracked and are fully on track for completion before 2026.
Memoranda of understanding between the centre and J&K have been signed for development of four more mega hydel projects worth Rs 29,600 crores, with total capacity of 3,284 MW.
Electricity demand in India has risen sharply this year, with energy consumed in August registering a 16.3% year-on-year growth, September 10.3% and October 21%.
The power ministry has increased its projection of thermal capacity
