Himachal Pradesh to Add 10GW RE Capacity by 2030: New Energy Policy

With the approval of new energy policy by state cabinet on Friday, Himachal Pradesh has set the target of producing 10,000 MW additional green energy. Various provisions have also been made in the new energy policy to achieve the target of harnessing and commissioning 10,000 MW of hydro energy by 2030 to have an operational capacity of 20,948 MW. The state is power surplus for most of the year on the back of its Hydro Power generation, which only slows down during the peak winter December-Jan period.

The new power policy also aims at establishing Himachal Pradesh as a “water battery” state. It says that Himachal Pradesh will be developed as the country’s water battery for Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) on standalone basis and to provide policy framework in conjunction with components of existing or executing projects. Various incentives such as free electricity royalty for pump storage projects, to provide exemption in LADF, exemption in LADF, exemption in registration fee for land acquisition etc would be provided.

For small projects up to 5 MW capacity, a provision has been made to exempt open access charges on input energy and output energy. There is a provision of preparing Transmission Master Plan with a view to facilitate the planning and timely execution of hydro and solar projects.

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The new policy also lays emphasis on to develop water tourism in the state, for which watch tower, picnic spot, house boat accommodation, shikara ride, capping and other water sports as been proposed. Development of trekking expeditions, ice skating, waterways etc is also envisaged. A provision has been made to study the site suitability of hydroelectric projects and tourist attractions according to the reservoirs constructed by the dams.

As a result of the Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy passed by Cabinet on Friday, additional power generation capacity of 10000 MW will be increased in the state by the year 2030 and pump storage projects of 10000 MW capacity will be established and investment will also be attracted in green hydrogen sector. As a result of the above capacity increase, about Rs 2 lakh crore will be invested in the state and employment opportunities will be provided to about one lakh people.

There is proposal to promote community ownership during implementation, operation and maintenance of hydroelectric projects, ensuring development of the local area through activities financed by the hydroelectric project builder during implementation and providing regular flow of income during operation and maintenance throughout the life of the project .

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Last month, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of some hydropower projects, including Luhri Stage 1 Hydro Power Project and Dhaulasidh Hydro Power Project, worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Himachal Pradesh.

“The PM said that ‘ease of living’ of the people of the country is one of the foremost priorities and electricity plays a huge role in this. Hydro-power projects launched today reflect India’s commitment to eco-friendly development,” an official statement reported.

The same month, the HP government stepped in to support farmers by providing financial support for solar-powered fences under its Mukhya Mantri Khet Sanrakshan Yojana. Solar fencing intrinsically involves building a fence that gets power from a solar setup to deliver a brief and mild electric shock, every time an animal or human, touches it.

The state government claims that under the scheme, 4669 hectares of farm land have been protected from wild life till date. The subsidy for solar fencing covers 80 per cent of costs at an individual level, and 85 percent at a community level. The HP government states that Rs 175.38 crore has been spent under the scheme that has benefitted 5,535 farmers in the state.