Though the Himachal Pradesh government has started the process to take back three hydropower projects being commissioned by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), demanding a higher state share in the projects, the process has many obstacles.
The state government has initiated to take back three hydropower projects – Dhaulasidh (66 MW), Luhri stage 1 (210 MW) and Sunni (382 MW), being commissioned by SJVNL – from the Central government, demanding a higher annual royalty.
These projects were renegotiated by the previous Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government, giving certain relaxations in paying royalty, as SJVNL has been claiming the higher cost of construction will make the project financially ‘ unviable’.
However, Chief Minister Sukkvinder Singh Sukhu wants the three projects to be returned back to the state, saying, “The terms and conditions negotiated by the previous government are not in the interest of the state.”
Demanding a higher share of free power, the state government has urged the central government to return the three projects, to which the central government has agreed, and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently conveyed this to the CM.
The Chief Minister has been demanding an increase of the state’s share of free power from these projects from 12 per percent to a progressing 18 per percent, 30 per percent and return of the projects after 40 years.
SJVNL authorities have been claiming, “Giving higher royalty to the state government would make the projects financially unviable, as the long delay in commissioning these projects has already increased the project cost manifold.”
“The agency giving financial approval for power projects ensures the higher per-unit cost doesn’t go against the norms set by the central government,” says an official of SJVNL, and the previous state government had only staggered the royalty to be paid to the state government to keep the per-unit cost on the lower side and not to exceed the national average production cost.”
Arranging the huge money required for taking these projects back would be a problem for the cash-strapped state government; moreover, assessing the project cost by an independent evaluator will take quite some time.
Director (Personnel) of SJVN, Ajay Sharma, said, “ We are keen to complete these projects as work is in advanced stages. The state government will be benefitted in the long run, as the state will get 27 per cent of the state’s share in power; besides dividends, the state will get 12 per percent royalty in a staggered manner too,” he added.
The hydro power being one of the reliable peak power demand meeting resoure among all Renewable power projects , as such it’s execution and commissioning on time is most vital for meeting peak load demand in a state or country
SJVN being one of the best central government controlled hydro power 🔋 development agency I’m country has played a very important role in harnessing the hydro power potential of Himachal Pradesh. Hence to achieve further growth in hydro power 🔋 potential if Himachal Pradesh , a cooperative approach between SJVN and HP government is very important. All the issues between government and SJVN should be resolved as per well settled rules ,and no hurdles should be set up in speedy development and execution of hydro power projects of Himachal Pradesh and other governments with room SJVN has entered the execution and PPA agreements
The green 💚 energy being future of power development in India , all the state and central government agencies should be provided all basi amenities and tax exemptions for achieving their targets on time .