Three hydro power projects at construction stage: NHPC

NEW DELHI, Sep 22: State-owned NHPC today said three hydro power projects, including Subansiri Lower, with an aggregate installed capacity of 3,130 mw are at the construction stage.

Five future projects with a planned capacity of 4,995 MW are in process.

A 50 mw wind power project in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan is nearing completion and will be commissioned after signing of power purchase agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan discoms, NHPC CMD K M Singh said.

Singh was addressing the shareholders at an AGM in which members of NHPC board, including independent directors and others senior officers from the PSU, were also present.

The company is also envisaging development of one 50 mw solar power project in Uttar Pradesh and four hydroelectric projects namely Kiru, Kwar and Pakal Dul in Jammu & Kashmir (2,164 MW) and Chamkharchhu-I (770 MW) in Bhutan, respectively, through JV companies.

Singh also spoke about various initiatives being taken by the company towards diversification of its business.

He said an MoU has been signed with Kerala for the development of a 72-mw capacity of wind power project at Agali site of Palakkad district in Kerala.

Another MoU has also been signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for development of 250 mw solar power projects in India and an agreement has been put in place with Teesta Urja Ltd (TUL) to provide consultancy services for Project Construction Management for 1,200 MW Teesta Stage-III hydroelectric (HE) project in Sikkim.

The company is in active dialogue with Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd, Bhutan, for development of 770 MW HE project in Bhutan, Singh said.

Singh also highlighted achievements of NHPC during 2015-16 in spite of various challenges.

“The company generated 23,683 million units (MUs) of electricity against 22,000 MUs committed for ‘Excellent’ rating under memorandum of understanding signed with the power ministry and has added 80 MW to its installed capacity during the year with commissioning of Unit I & II (40 MW each) of Teesta Low Dam-IV Project (40 MW X 4) in West Bengal,” the company said. (PTI)