J&K should consider nuclear power option

By: Er Mohammad Ashraf Fazili (Former Chief Engineer)

During the electricity shortage in the 1940s, I witnessed dark nights in villages illuminated by ‘lashi’ wood and baked-earthen oil lamps—locally called tsong in Kashmiri. These lamps were placed on fixed stands on the walls, known as tsangi-taar. The length of the oil trail below the lamp stand was often considered a sign of a household’s affluence. There were also moveable lamp stands called zoor. Later came the era of kerosene lanterns and hanging kerosene lamps, known as chatgeer, commonly used by artisans engaged in embroidery and other crafts who worked late into the night, literally burning the midnight oil. Even scholars and students would study under the dim light of these lamps. For larger gatherings, gas lighting was used, which required frequent replacement of mantles and the pumping of air. The situation gradually improved with the development of a series of hydroelectric powerhouses.

The beginnings of hydropower in J&K

The launch of a chain of hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir began in 1905. Electricity was initially supplied by the 9 MW Mohra powerhouse, commissioned in 1905. Due to limited power generation, most households had only one 25W lamp fixed in a hole in the partition wall to light two rooms simultaneously. This bulb would often flicker when the wires became overloaded. Each home had a connection installed with a fuse that frequently blew due to overloading by defaulters. The next day, the concerned lineman from the Electric Department had to be summoned to replace the fuse.

A monthly flat rate of Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 was paid at the concerned electric sub-division within a stipulated time; any delay resulted in disconnection. With growing population, urbanization, and slow increases in power generation, people began using heaters, boilers, and other appliances. These often damaged transformers, causing blackouts in connected areas until the damaged transformers were repaired or replaced.

Meters installed in homes were often bypassed by hooking onto the naked overhead transmission lines. Despite fines and penalties, many people continued this illegal practice. Short circuits frequently caused fires, resulting in huge damage to houses that were mostly constructed of timber and masonry.

Despite increased power generation, the demand continued to outpace supply. The use of modern gadgets like geysers, refrigerators, washing machines, radiators, and central heating widened the gap between power demand and supply, causing frequent shutdowns—particularly during the winter months, when water discharge reduced generation at hydro projects.

Although J&K’s hydro-power stations are connected to the Northern Grid and supply significant power to deficit states in the summer, this process is often reversed in the winter due to lower generation.

The Northern Grid covers nine regions: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh.

J&K’s power demand and generation

According to media reports, J&K requires about 2,600 MW of electricity. However, the power supply to the Kashmir division is only 1,200 MW, while Jammu receives 900 MW, leaving a deficit of about 500 MW (Ref: Indian Express, 28.10.2023).

Jammu & Kashmir has an identified potential to generate about 16,475 MW of hydropower—11,283 MW in the Chenab basin, 3,084 MW in Jhelum, 500 MW in Ravi, and 1,608 MW in the Indus basin. Once fully tapped, J&K could become a net energy exporter.

However, despite this potential, J&K currently generates only 3,263 MW of electricity through 21 state sector projects.

Mohra – The second oldest powerhouse in Asia

The Mohra Power Project, located on the Jhelum River in Boniyar, Kashmir, was built in 1902 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and commissioned in 1905 by Maharaja Hari Singh. It was one of the first hydroelectric projects in the subcontinent, with an installed capacity of 9 MW.

The JKSPDC has announced plans to revive the heritage power station at Mohra, which is expected to enter the tendering stage by April next year at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 crore. The Board of Directors has approved the award of an EPC contract for the execution of the 10.5 MW (2×5.25 MW) Mohra Heritage Hydroelectric Project, with an estimated cost of Rs. 133.50 crore.

The LG administration is keen to revive this century-old project, slated for completion within 42 months. Vivek Bharadwaj, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and Chairman of the Board, has directed that all necessary approvals, including forest and MHA clearances, be expedited. Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department, Nitishwar Kumar, has stressed the timely commissioning of the project.

The Board also approved the allotment of a contract to M/S Oriental Insurance Company for insuring the 900 MW Baglihar HEP Stage-I and Stage-II for the policy period from 16-07-2022 to 15-07-2023.

New Ganderbal Hydroelectric Project

Declared in 1996, the 93 MW New Ganderbal Hydropower Project on the River Sindh remains in limbo, as construction has yet to begin. Originally estimated at over Rs. 800 crore, the project was designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with three units of 31 MW each.

In 2014, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) won the EPC contract at a negotiated cost of Rs. 819.18 crore, but failed to implement the project by 2017. The contract was eventually canceled, and the State Administrative Council approved the annulment of the bidding process. The JKSPDC has initiated a fresh procurement process.

Despite all requisite clearances, the project has seen no progress, evoking widespread resentment among locals. Residents remain hopeful but skeptical, citing repeated government assurances without any concrete action. Officials have stated that once the tendering process concludes, construction will begin.

Current power generation in J&K

Out of an identified potential of 16,475 MW, J&K currently generates only 3,263 MW in the state sector. The largest share—2,009 MW—comes from the central sector via seven projects. An additional 42.5 MW is produced by the private sector through four projects. More than 85% of this capacity comes from hydropower, with the 900 MW Baglihar project on the Chenab River being the largest.

The ongoing power crisis

J&K needs around 2,600 MW of electricity. However, Kashmir receives only 1,200 MW and Jammu 900 MW, leaving a 500 MW deficit.

Principal Secretary H Rajesh Prasad has noted that, while J&K is maintaining last year’s supply levels, availability from central and state agencies is only 1,400 MW. An additional 700 MW is being purchased at high rates (Rs. 7 to Rs. 10 per unit), yet consumers are charged significantly less—Rs. 1.25 per unit for below-poverty-line consumers and a maximum of Rs. 4.50 for regular consumers. This results in a financial burden of Rs. 750 crore per month, expected to rise to Rs. 850 crore in peak winter.

Reasons for the deficit

An unprecedented dry spell has drastically reduced water flow in rivers, leading to a fall in hydro generation. For instance, the Baglihar project’s generation dropped from 1,050 MW to around 200–250 MW.

J&K also suffers from high transmission losses—62% last year, reduced to 55% this year. Only 50% of the region has metered households, making accurate billing difficult. Pilferage through uninsulated wires remains rampant.

Power cuts in the Valley

The PDD proposed 4.5-hour scheduled cuts in metered areas and 8-hour cuts in unmetered ones. However, unscheduled cuts are common, causing widespread protests. Despite 13 power projects managed by JKPDC (producing 1,197.4 MW) and 6 by NHPC (producing 2,250 MW), J&K only receives a fraction of this energy—200 MW from JKPDC and 350 MW from NHPC. Authorities are reportedly reluctant to increase power purchases to cover shortages.

Status of metering in J&K

Out of 21 lakh households, about 50% are metered. Smart meters have been installed in around 4 lakh households, though resistance remains in both rural and urban areas. The UT administration insists that uninterrupted power supply can only be achieved through 100% metering.

Steps to address the power situation

The administration is aggressively promoting metering and installing insulated AD cables to prevent theft. The Rs. 5,500 crore Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), funded 90% by the Government of India and 10% by the UT, includes these reforms.

Additionally, the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II for a 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh was approved in October. The project includes a transmission line running through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to Kaithal, Haryana, integrating Ladakh with the national grid and connecting to the Alusteng grid in Kashmir. It aims to reduce J&K’s dependence on hydro-power during winter months.

The 13 GW capacity will include 9 GW of solar power and 4 GW of wind energy, combined with 12 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This is expected to provide a round-the-clock supply of 33,630 million units per annum.

The nuclear option

A nuclear power project could help meet J&K’s winter demand. States like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra already have nuclear plants totaling 6,780 MW. Four additional plants are under construction, and 11 future projects (40,200 MW capacity) are planned across various states. There is potential for a similar project in J&K UT.