Himachal Pradesh, which has a potential to generate over 22,000 mw hydro power, has decided to allot 256 new small hydel projects to smaller players in the state to encourage enterprise among youth. The state has an estimated potential to generate 21, 000 mw hydro power, of which only one-third has been exploited so far. The hill state plans to tap about 12,000 mw hydel power by 2012.
Sources in the Himachal Pradesh government told FE that the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held on June 27. All these 256 hydel projects are self-identified projects, aimed at speedy exploitation of hydel potential in the state. The projects have a capacity ranging up to 5 mw each, aggregating to 431 mw of hydel power to Himachal domicile holders fitting into eligibility criteria of the power policy of the state government.
As per the power policy of the state, local entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take up projects with 2 to 5 mw generation capacity. Projects above 5 mw are allotted through open bidding. Additionally, 16 projects of 67.10 mw capacity have been approved for allotment to non-Himachalis.
An interesting feature of the new allotment is the absence of big names. The state cabinet in December last year had allotted power projects to relatively new entrants, including Moserbaer, Jindal Steel and Power and DCM Sriram Infrastructure.
Moserbaer, has been allotted five projects — the highest number — that have an aggregate generation capacity of 1,148 mw. These are Reoli Dugli (420 mw), Seli (320 mw), Teling (69 mw), Miyar (90 mw) and Sach Khas (149 mw) projects.
Jindal Steel and Power was allotted the Lara (40 mw), Kuling Lara (40 mw) and Mane Nadang (70 mw) projects, while DCM Sriram Infrastructure bagged the Khoksar (90 mw) and Tinget (81 mw) projects. Patel Engineering was allotted the 236-mw Dugar project in Chamba district and ANS Construction the 7.5-mw Kilhi Bahl project in Kangra district.
The projects have been allotted on a build-own-operate-and-transfer (BOOT) basis. Most of the projects are located on the basins of Sutlej and Chenab rivers in Lahaul and Spiti districts.
Under the state’s amended power policy, the bidder who offers more free power to the state in addition to the fixed quota are allotted projects. The fixed quota is 12% free power for the first 12 years, 18% up to 30 years and 30% up to 40 years. After 40 years, the project will be handed over to the government.