HE projects being revived Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and J&K
The Government has decided to infuse liquidity of Rs.90,000 crore in the power sector through PFC and REC Ltd to enable the sector to maintain power supplies and keep the lights on, as cash flows had plummeted during lockdown imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Under this intervention, REC and PFC would extend special long term transition loans upto 10 years to Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) for liquidating outstanding dues of Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Generation (Genco) & Transmission Companies (Transcos), Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Renewable Energy (RE) generators as existing on 30 June 2020, said the Power Ministry on 30 Dec 2020.
Against the liquidity infusion package, loans worth Rs.118,508 crore have been sanctioned while Rs.45,083 crore has already been disbursed/released, the Power Ministry said in a year-end review of projects.
The Himachal Pradesh Government (GoHP) has signed agreements with 3 CPSUs viz. NTPC, NHPC and SJVN for setting up 10 hydropower projects of 2,917 MW on Chenab river entailing an investment of about Rs.28,000 crore, said the Ministry.
Also, a number of hydro-electric (HE) projects are being revived as:
120 MW Rangit Stage-IV project in Sikkim through a takeover by NHPC Ltd. This has been stalled since October 2013.
500 MW Dugar Project in Himachal Pradesh through new allotment to NHPC by GoHP.
476 MW Reoli Dugli Project in Himachal Pradesh through new allotment to SJVNL by GoHP.
MoU was signed on 3 Feb 2019 for implementation of the 850 MW Ratle Project in J&K through a Joint Venture Company between NHPC and JKSPDC with a shareholding of 51% and 49%, respectively.
Some of the revived projects had implementation issues with project proponents and implementors.
Two out of four units (300 MW out of 600 MW) of the Kameng hydropower project of NEEPCO in Arunachal Pradesh was commissioned in February 2020.
Meanwhile, the Government has approved Rs.1,810.56 crores (May 2020 PL) for Luhri stage-I (210 MW) HE Project of SJVNL in Himachal Pradesh.
Investment approval has also been given to Dhaulasidh (66 MW) HE Project of SJVNL in Himachal for an amount of Rs. 687.97 crores.
Construction has started at 240 MW Kutehr HE Project in Himachal Pradesh and 624 MW Kiru HE Project in J&K. #tenders #projects #investment #electricity /fiinews.com
