Himachal CM Fast-Tracks Solar, Eyes 13 GW PSPs

Himachal CM Fast-Tracks Solar, Approx. 13 GW Pumped Storage Projects

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, at a high-level meeting of the Power Department, has directed the Energy Department to issue a cancellation notice to non-serious hydro power developers, whose projects have remained stalled for many years.

Noting that the undue delays in the project execution are causing significant losses to the state exchequer, Sukhu instructed the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL) to complete the commissioning of the Kaza solar power project by August 2025 and to expedite the 1 MW solar power project with battery backup at Dhanwas in the remote Pangi valley of Chamba district. The Dhanwas project is expected to be completed by December 2025 and will guarantee uninterrupted power supply to the 19 gram panchayats of the valley even during heavy snowfall.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed that Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has identified potential of 4,403 MW of power capacity on Bhakra Dam and 8,700 MW power capacity on Kol Dam for establishing pump storage projects (PSP). He directed the department to take the lead in this direction and move forward immediately so that the people of the State reap maximum benefits from these projects.

HP Govt Takes Back Hydro Project

In a major decision, the State Government has decided to take back 382 MW Sunni, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh projects previously allotted to SJVNL. Sukhu informed that the State Government will not move ahead on the upcoming projects like Kishau and Renuka Dam unless the neighbouring States provide to settle the long concrete assurances pending arrears of Bhakra Beas Management Board.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of the  ‘Green Panchayat scheme’ and directed to speed up the project. He also took stock of the under-construction 450 MW Shong Tong Hydro Power Project and asked the Power Corporation to complete this project within the stipulated time period.

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Furthermore, it was also decided that the HPSEBL will establish five Sub Stations with 66 KV capacity, while 10 Sub Stations having capacity of 132 KV and 220 KV would be set up by the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) under the directions of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC).

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Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh,  Advisor,  Infrastructure Anil Kapil, OSD to Chief Minister Gopal Sharma, Chairman HPSEBL Sanjay Gupta, Director Energy Rakesh Prajapati, Managing Director of HP Power Corporation Abid Husain Sadiq, Managing Director Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Rajiv Sood and other senior officers also attended the meeting.