Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in a meeting with Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, R.K Singh on late Wednesday evening urged the Union Minister to enhance the State’s share in the power projects which were commissioned 25 years back and have completed their loan repayments. He said that state share must be enhanced from 12 to 15 percent. The Union Minister was apprised that around 12000 MW hydro power potential in the State was yet to be harnessed. Hydro power development is the key engine to the economic growth of the State of Himachal Pradesh, as it makes a direct and significant contribution to economy in terms of revenue generation, employment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life, he said. Besides, the state also has ample scope for setting up solar projects, stated the Chief Minster. State Government has now relaxed the rules and procedures for the investors and Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to accord permission. State government is committed to accord all necessary permissions in a time bound manner especially in energy sector and to ease the process for applying.
Chief Minister said that Government was mulling to make agreements with power project in stages. The first part will be for the period of loan repayment and the second part will be after the loan repayment is over on part of the power project. Chief Minister also raised the issue of Luhri Power Project being executed by SJVNL and advocated for fresh agreement for enhancing the state share as the project is fully viable. Chief Minister said that the Supreme Court has passed its verdict in favour of the State Government pertaining to payment of arrears and its share by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He said that BBMB should be directed to pay the arrears to the State Government immediately. He also apprised that the lease period of Shanan project was now over and it will be taken over by the State Government for further execution soon. Sukhu said that the Union Minister has assured with regard to setting up of Green Energy Plant in Spiti area of the state on the analogy of Leh. The e-charging stations for electric vehicles will also be set up throughout the State so that the target of becoming Green Energy State by 2025 could be achieved. For setting up of e-charging stations, the state government will provide land and power. Detailed project report for the transmission line will also be prepared to evacuate the green energy. Chief Minister told that the state is looking forward for the generation of green hydrogen adding that the Himachal Pradesh is the only state which is power surplus state. State will execute the power project on revenue sharing basis. Chief Minister honoured the Union Minister on this occasion and also invited to visit Himachal Pradesh. Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Sunder Singh Thakur and Sanjay Awasthi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Resident Commissioner, Meera Mohanty and Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vivek Bhatia were also present in the meeting.
