Good News for Kashmir: Government Takes Big Step to Tackle Electricity Shortages

PK DeskNovember 27, 2023Last Updated: November 27, 2023

Click Here To Join Our WhatsApp Channel!

Click Here To Join Our Telegram Channel!

Click Here To Follow Us On Twitter

Additional 500 MW Power to Alleviate Valley’s Electricity Woes, Says Principal Secretary PDD

Srinagar, Nov 27: The decision by the government to procure an extra 500 MW of electricity is poised to bring the valley out of its current power crisis, according to officials.

H Rajesh Prasad, the Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department, stated to news agency that this additional power will restore normalcy and provide relief to the people. He emphasized that the curtailment schedule within the valley can be maintained, ensuring that electricity will be available to the residents as per the set schedule.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration, on Sunday, approved the acquisition of an additional 500 MW of firm power from the Ministry of Power (MOP) to fulfill the base load power requirement of J&K.

To address the gap between demand and power availability during the winter months, the Administrative Council sanctioned the signing of a fresh Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by J&K Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL) with NTPC, pertaining to Singrauli-III run by NTPC.

Prasad informed KNO that the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is set to be signed in the next day or two, following which the valley will receive the additional power supply.

“We have been awaiting approval, and now that formalities are complete, the agreement with NTPC will be signed by J&K Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL),” he affirmed.

The Principal Secretary PDD highlighted that the current electricity supply to the valley has already increased to nearly 1600 MWs. He expressed hope that the power situation will significantly improve with the procurement of an additional 500 MWs.

In response to the enhanced power supply, Prasad mentioned that a sustained campaign will be launched across the valley to encourage judicious use of electricity.

“We will raise awareness among the people for the judicious use of electricity through various mediums,” he stated.

The valley has been grappling with an acute power crisis for the past two months, affecting both domestic and commercial consumers. Residents have reported deviations from the curtailment schedule, while industrialists have cited substantial losses of nearly 75 percent due to the power shortages