U’khand to set up mini hydel units to boost power output
Policy on the anvil to generate power from rivulets through hydro projects up to 25 MW, officials say
MUSSOORIE: After Uttarakhand faced power shortage this year, the state government has decided to formulate a policy to generate electricity from village rivulets by setting up small hydropower projects up to 25 megawatt (MW) which will not only provide additional power but also help in generating employment to villagers, said a senior government official.
The state government is also studying the power policy of neighbouring hilly state Himachal Pradesh to incorporate some of its salient features in the new hydropower generation policy. Uttarakhand power secretary Meenakshi Sundaram said, “Considering the state’s hydropower generation potential, we are preparing a policy for setting up small hydropower projects up to 25 MW on the banks of the rivers and rivulets in the villages. Under the plan, we will provide concessions to encourage people to set up the projects which will help in generating employment too.” The details of the policy will be disclosed only after it is approved in the cabinet, she said. A committee was formed to study micro and medium hydropower generation with easy guidelines and financial relaxation so that more people are interested in setting up hydropower generation units in the villages, officials said.
Sandeep Singhal, managing director of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), said, “I was one of the members of the committee and after a detailed study, we have submitted the recommendation that there are immense possibilities of increasing power generation in the state and for that, we have proposed few relaxations in the policy so that more people can take up power generation at a micro level.” UJVNL is likely to get the mandate for setting up hydropower units above 5 megawatt and it will be keen to enter into the hydro power production wherever it is possible in the hills, officials added.
Hydropower experts have welcomed the move but have cited too much government interference in the process as a main reason why micro and medium hydropower generation could not take off in the state.
JS Bisht, a senior consultant on alternative and renewable energy, said, “The policy should focus on a single window system and guidelines and tax relaxation should be incorporated so that more people at the smaller level are interested in setting up the projects.” Private entrepreneurs and panchayats should have the right to select the site and set up the plant as per the laid down guidelines of the government, he added. The electricity buy-back policy should be such that it attracts the small farmers towards setting up the power generation units in the villages, said experts. Villagers are excited with the formulation of the new policy and believe if the water mills in the villages are upgraded to power generation units, it could add up to power bank of the state and help in doubling the income of farmers.