Chief Secretary reviews project-wise milestones to accelerate capacity addition
SRINAGAR, AUG 28: Jammu & Kashmir has set an ambitious target of increasing its operational hydropower generation capacity to 10,969.65 MW by December 2035, more than three times its present installed capacity of 3,540.15 MW.
The comprehensive, time-bound roadmap was reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo here on Thursday, with the Government emphasising faster project execution, close monitoring of milestones and coordinated resolution of bottlenecks.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Secretary, Revenue; Managing Director, Jammu & Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL); concerned Deputy Commissioners; heads of power projects; representatives of NHPC and senior officers of the Power Development Department.
The review focused on the physical and financial progress of major hydropower projects under execution, their construction and commissioning schedules, and the milestones required to ensure sustained additions to generation capacity over the coming decade.
Dulloo stressed the need for sustained inter-departmental coordination, rigorous project monitoring and timely resolution of issues affecting implementation to maintain the pace of construction and unlock Jammu & Kashmir’s considerable hydropower potential.
According to ACS, PDD Ashwani Kumar, Jammu & Kashmir has an identified hydropower potential of 14,635 MW, of which around 24.21 per cent has so far been harnessed through projects in the UT, Central Sector and Independent Power Producer (IPP) sectors.
The Chenab Basin accounts for the largest share of the identified potential at 11,283 MW, followed by the Jhelum Basin with 3,084 MW and the Ravi Basin with 500 MW.
The Power Development Department has put in place a phased capacity-addition strategy to systematically harness this potential and move Jammu & Kashmir towards greater energy self-reliance and, eventually, a power-surplus position.
Capacity additions planned in phases
JKPCL Managing Director Rahul Yadav said the first major additions under the roadmap are targeted through projects scheduled for commissioning during the next few years.
The 1,000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP and 12 MW Karnah HEP are expected to add 1,636 MW, with the cumulative installed capacity projected to reach 5,176.15 MW by December 2027.
The commissioning of the 37.5 MW Parnai HEP would subsequently take the cumulative capacity to 5,213.65 MW.
A further major jump is expected in 2028, with 1,390 MW to be added through the 540 MW Kwar HEP and 850 MW Ratle HEP, taking the cumulative capacity to 6,630.65 MW.
By December 2029, another 500 MW is projected to come from Central Sector projects, including the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II and 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II, taking the total generation capacity to 7,103.65 MW.
The subsequent phase between 2031 and 2035 will involve progressive commissioning of major projects, including 820 MW Kirthai-II, 390 MW Kirthai-I and 1,856 MW Sawalkote HEP.
With these additions, Jammu & Kashmir is projected to reach 10,969.65 MW of installed hydropower capacity by December 2035.
Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar projects reviewed
The Chief Secretary also took a detailed review of the ongoing hydropower projects from their respective project heads and called for close monitoring of construction milestones to ensure that commissioning schedules are adhered to.
The 1,000 MW Pakal Dul HEP has achieved 85 per cent physical progress and 77.54 per cent financial progress. Filling of the Concrete Face Rock-Fill Dam (CFRD) has reached 89 per cent. Testing and commissioning of Units 3 and 4 is scheduled for March 2027, followed by Units 1 and 2 in May-June 2027.
The 624 MW Kiru HEP has recorded 88.75 per cent physical progress and 73.21 per cent financial expenditure. Dam concreting up to the deck slab has reached 98.99 per cent, with final testing and commissioning targeted for March 2027.
The 540 MW Kwar HEP has achieved 37.82 per cent physical and 42.11 per cent financial progress. Excavation of the powerhouse cavern is 99.6 per cent complete, with commissioning targeted for March 2028.
The 850 MW Ratle HEP has registered 31.53 per cent physical progress, while excavation of its underground powerhouse cavern has been completed. The revised contractual milestones envisage full commissioning by November 2028.
Among UT-sector projects, the 12 MW Karnah HEP has reached 93 per cent completion and is on track for wet commissioning. The 37.5 MW Parnai HEP has achieved 72.5 per cent physical progress, while excavation of its Head Race Tunnel has reached 98 per cent.
The Government’s decade-long hydropower expansion plan is expected to strengthen Jammu & Kashmir’s energy security and provide a more reliable power base for industry, infrastructure, tourism, services and emerging economic activities.
The roadmap is aimed at reducing dependence on external power supplies while enabling Jammu & Kashmir to progressively move towards greater energy self-reliance, with hydropower positioned as a key driver of its long-term economic growth.
