Working to meet peak power demands in winters
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that his administration has been able to provide more electricity to the people compared to the previous years.
Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhavan over the power scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG said that in the last three years, there has been much augmentation in the transmission and distribution capacity.
Click here to watch video
“We have been able to provide more electricity to the people compared to before, but it is also a reality that our losses have increased,” he said.
Sinha said the administration is working with utmost sensitivity to meet the peak power demand during winters.
He said that his administration wants to have minimum curtailment in the areas where 100 per cent metering has been achieved.
The LG said the administration is trying to undertake metering at a large scale in the UT. “In the first phase, smart meters are being installed in Srinagar and Jammu,” he added.
He said J&K buys electricity at around Rs 10 per unit, but supplies it at Rs 1.25 per unit to the below poverty line customers. “There is already a huge subsidy, but you all know how much money comes from the billing,” he added.
Sinha said a very important decision was taken by the Union Cabinet this week where a project on green energy corridor phase two – interstate transmission system for 13 GW renewable energy project in Ladakh was approved.
He said the energy project in Ladakh would benefit Jammu and Kashmir a lot as it would reduce dependence on hydroelectricity which diminishes during the winter.
“It will benefit J&K a lot. The projects will offer an alternative source of power to the Valley through the existing 220 KV Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar Transmission System, reducing dependence on hydro energy generation, which diminishes during the winters,” he said.
The LG said that J&K may plan to install additional transmission lines for drawing more power from the said RE projects, as per the requirement and feasibility.
“The transmission line for evacuating power will run through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to Kaithal in Haryana, integrating with the National Grid and interconnection to Ladakh’s existing grid and the 220kV Alusteng Grid in Ganderbal district of Kashmir through Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line, to provide power to J&K,” he said.
“It is certain that the power transfer from Ladakh will positively impact the entire Kashmir valley, improving power availability round the year, especially during power deficit winter months,” he added.
He said it will also improve the power situation in the Jammu region because the power transfer to Kashmir from the existing central sector Grids namely 400kV Kishanpur and Jatwal grids situated in Jammu, will be proportionally reduced. “This reduction will free up tied capacity at these grids, thereby improving availability in Jammu throughout the year,” he said.
“The power supply from the said BESS-supported renewable energy generator, located near Kashmir, will mitigate the low voltage conditions experienced during winters in the valley due to the decrease in hydro generation,” he said.
The project is targeted to be set up by the financial year 2029-30 with a total estimated cost of Rs 20,773.70 crore. The Central financial assistance at the rate of 40 per cent of the project cost will be Rs 8309.48 crore.
On winter preparedness, the LG said that all preparations have been completed. “Stock of essentials including ration, wheat, LPG cylinders and medicines are being stocked ahead of winter,” he said.
Sinha said that modern snow clearance machines have been procured and now roads won’t get damaged during the snow clearance.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
