By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Public sector SJVN Limited today signed MoUs for implementation of seven Hydro Electric Projects of total capacity of 1958 MW with the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The MoUs were signed by Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director and Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary (Energy). These projects are 210 MW Luhri Stage – I, 172 MW Luhri Stage – II, 382 MW Suni Dam Project, 66 MW Dhaulasidh project, 780 MW Jangi Thopan Powari project besides Purthi and Bardang HEPs. The agreements were signed during a Power Conclave held at Shimla today in which hydro power projects were also allocated to other power sector PSUs namely NHPC Limited and NTPC Limited. In all 10 MoUs were signed for hydro power projects of a total capacity of 2927 MW with these companies and will entail an investment of Rs. 25,772 crore
Addressing the Conclave, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the three energy majors of the country namely SJVN, NTPC, and NHPC were playing a pivotal role in harnessing hydro power in the State. He said that Himachal Pradesh was a ‘blessed state’ as it has been bestowed with bounties of nature like presence of vast river basins of five rivers that provide immense potential of more than 23,500 MW harness able hydro energy. He said that the State had achieved 100% rural electrification in 1988 and today is acknowledged as ‘Clean & Green Power Destination’.
Nand Lal Sharma shared vision of SJVN for Himachal Pradesh and expressed satisfaction on the proactive and supportive role of the State Government for completion of Hydro Electric projects in the State. SJVN is already operating two hydro power plants of a total capacity of 1912 MW in the state. Nand Lal Sharma told that the company had already paid a dividend of Rs. 1712 crore to the Government of Himachal Pradesh on an equity participation of Rs.1055 crore since coming into commercial operations. In addition to this the company has provided more than 36,000 million units of electricity to the state which includes 13000 million units free power worth Rs.3476 crore.
