Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Energy Minister RK Singh in New Delhi on Friday regarding the power crisis in the state after March 31, i.e. from April 1.
After the intervention of the central government, Uttarakhand has started getting additional 300 MW power from the central pool from March 1. This additional power will be available till March 31. After April 1, the state will again have to face power crisis.
Chief Minister Dhami placed this topic in detail before the Union Energy Minister. He said that due to shortfall in hydropower production, there is estimated to be a gap of 400 MW per month on an average in the state’s power demand and availability in the financial year 2023-24.
The Chief Minister insisted on reconsidering the allocation of THDC Khurja or making available 133 MW unallocated capacity from this power station to Uttarakhand for the energy security of Uttarakhand.
To solve the problem of power supply, the Union Minister suggested re-operation of the gas power plant located in Uttarakhand. Along with this, assured to provide necessary cooperation for setting up base load power houses in the states where coal is available.
Decision to hand over Lohari Nagpala project to Uttarakhand:
There is new hope regarding the pending 20 hydroelectric projects in the state. The Union Minister informed that a meeting will soon be held at the Prime Minister’s Office level on these projects. In this regard, the central team will study the power supply and requirement in Uttarakhand and prepare a further action plan.
He also assured assistance in the reconstruction works under Corporate Social Responsibility head of NTPC in the disaster affected areas in Joshimath. While completing the security work in the Lohari Nagpala project, it was also decided to hand it over to Uttarakhand. Officials of Union Ministry of Power, State Energy Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram and senior officials were present in the meeting.
