ibn sultan
SRINAGAR: Amid an acute deficit in hydro power generation, Jammu and Kashmir is currently relying on more than 85 percent of coal and solar power.
Officials from the Power Development Department (PDD) claim that local hydro power generation from the region’s power plants has reduced by nearly 90 percent.
A senior PDD official said, “At present, Jammu and Kashmir is 85-90 percent dependent on coal and solar energy, which is procured from other states, as we currently do not have local power generation.”
“In winters, local hydro power generation from Jammu and Kashmir’s power plants has reduced by almost 90 percent. To meet the required power demand, we need a stable base power supply, which we procure from outside states. This energy is coal-based,” the official explained.
He said that the department is already in various Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with other states.
“Last year, we entered into a PPA for coal-based power of over 390 MW under the Shakti Policy. In the future, more coal-based power PPAs will need to be signed to meet the electricity demand in Jammu and Kashmir,” the official added.
He said, “In 2024 and the ongoing year, there is a significant deficit in local hydro power generation. The situation for local power generation in winters is not favourable.”
As per reports the hydel power generation from power plants across Jammu and Kashmir has reduced by a further five percent due to less snowfall and low water levels.
Overall, hydro power generation from local plants in Jammu and Kashmir has decreased by 84.17 percent.
In January, the Power Development Department (PDD) was generating nearly 250 megawatts (MW) from local hydel projects, accounting for 20 percent of the total generation capacity. However, in the ongoing month, power generation has decreased by a further five percent.
“The power generation has continued to decline, with officials stating that the department has only been able to generate 190 MW of power in the current month,” the official added.
Additionally, authorities have indicated that Jammu and Kashmir may face a 29 per cent ‘forced load shedding’ of annual power in the year 2034-35.
It has also been projected that in the next ten years, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of power demand is likely to increase by more than four per cent in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (KNO)
