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Power is the key to the economic growth of Uttaranchal. Realising this, the government has framed a power policy that aims to exploit the State's immense hydro-electric potential.
The State has the potential to produce 25,000 MW of power and has already identified projects to generate 20,000 MW. While projects with a total capacity of 1,130 MW have been completed, many others are to be completed by 2011. The Electricity Regulation Commission of the State has taken several far-reaching decisions that will take the State close to self-sufficiency in power generation. The government plans to increase the production of hydro-electricity, speed up the construction of projects and remove the shortcomings in power management. Special attention is given to rural electrification, quality power supply, better power management, expansion of consumer services and conservation of energy. The government has resolved to supply power to all villages and settlements by 2007 and to all households by 2009. Over 92 per cent of the villages have already been electrified. The Kutir Jyoti scheme, under which people get free power, is aimed at people below the poverty line.
The State also plans to set up separate corporations for the production, management and distribution of electricity, in accordance with the Electric Construction Act, 2001. The government's emphasis is on building tunnel-based projects rather than large dams so that no one has to be displaced.
The State government aims to produce 500 MW a year and to increase it to 3,000 MW in the next five years. By producing power from traditional watermills, Uttaranchal has presented a model for others to emulate. As a result of the government's efforts in this sector, the people enjoy 20 to 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply. The State has laid emphasis on alternative sources of energy as well - for instance, solar energy, which is used to electrify 569 villages.
"We see ourselves as an energy State in the making. We are a Himalayan State with snow-fed rivers and there is this great potential for hydropower generation which has not yet been leveraged fully," said Energy Secretary N. Ravishankar. He said that out of the identified power potential of 20,000 MW, the State had harnessed only 1,400 MW so far; another 1,700 MW would be added in 2006. "By 2015 we will harness 10,000 MW. Of the 1,700 MW being added this year, 1,000 MW is from Tehri Phase I; Vishnuprayag will generate 400 MW and Maneribhali Stage II will add another 304 MW. During the next Plan period will add 5,000 MW, and another 5,000 MW during the Plan after that," Ravishankar said.
The government is so confident of achieving the targets because of the enthusiastic response of the private sector. "We have a transparent system of involving independent power producers [IPPs]. Everyone has an even chance now and this has instilled confidence among our private partners," Ravishankar said. In addition, the support of public sector undertakings (PSUs) is also taken.
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