Energy is one sector to which the Chief Minister gives first priority in his scheme of things. It is not enough to say that we have abundant water resources to meet our energy requirements. Investment of capital, technology, technical expertise and labour are some of the pre-requisites. The Chief Minister believes that the State has to be self-sufficient in the sector of energy. We are purchasing power at a huge cost and supplying it to the consumers at subsidized rates. This may not work too long, and the State may not be able to bear the heavy burden. Efforts are underway to move towards self-sufficiency. The JK State Power Development Corporation gave nod to awarding of six more projects including five under J&K State Hydroelectric Projects Development Policy, 2011 and one under EPC for which open tenders were floated by JKSPDC. With these, the number of projects approved for allotment during 2012 so far has reached eleven with an aggregate capacity of 643 MW. These include State owned JKSPDC projects of 450 MW BHEP-II, 1.50 MW Pahalgam HEP 3rd Unit, 5 MW Puga Geo Thermal, 9 MW Dah HEP, 9 MW Hanu HEP, 37.5 MW Parnai HEP. The five projects to be implemented by IPPs are 40 MW Ans-I, 45 MW Bichlari, 27 MW Kanzil Wangath, 12 MW Girjin Ki Gali and 7 MW Chandanwari Uri. From these projects free power ranging from 16% to 22% including 1% LADF, 30% additional electricity will be available to the State at most economical rates. We hope that completion of these projects on time will be a big leap towards self-sufficiency in power. That will prove a landmark in States economic development.
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