In the series of domestic roadshows, for attracting investors interest in the ‘Global Investors’ Meet scheduled at Dharamshala for November 7th-8th, a Power Conclave was organised by the Department of MPP and Power in which as many as 10 MoUs were signed for hydro projects with an investment of Rs. 25,772 crore with a capacity of 2927 MW providing potential employment to 13,250 persons with NTPC, SJVNL and NHPC for harnessing identified hydro projects in the State here today.While addressing the investors on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the three energy majors of the country that is SJVNL, NTPC, NHPC were playing a pivotal role in harnessing hydro power in the State. He said that it was a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh to be one of the leading states in the country in hydro energy sector. He said that the State Government understands the importance of this sector, as it not only meets the power requirements of the State, but was a exporter of power to the neighbouring states and earns revenue for the State exchequer. The State Government was committed towards providing all possible help to the investors in energy sector, he added.Chief Minister said that vision of organising the Global Investor Meet was aimed at attracting investment to the State thereby ensuring economic activities in the State. He said that this would provide employment and self employment opportunities to the youth and thereby transform the economy of the State. He said that the State Government till now has succeeded to get 570 MoUs worth about Rs. 75,700 crore signed, which were bound to usher in an era of progress and prosperity in the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that the recent initiatives taken by the State Government like simplification of procedures, deferment of free power royalty for critical period of 12 years for allotted projects and reduction in upfront premium and capacity addition charges, would go a long way in achieving growth and sustainable development in hydro sector.
Chief Minister said that the State was a ‘blessed state’ as it has been bestowed with bounties of nature like presence of vast river basins of five rivers that provide immense potential of more than 23,500 MW harnessable hydro energy. He said that the State had achieved 100% rural electrification in 1988 and today is acknowledged as ‘Clean & Green Power Destination’.He invited the investors on behalf of the State Government for Global Investors’ Meet in Dharamshala on 7th & 8th November 2019.Jai Ram Thakur launched HIMURJA’s online portal Unified Single Window Clearance Portal for processing of Rooftop Solar PV (USRTPV), which will enable the consumers to apply for rooftop solar system online and relevant stakeholders would be able to process applications online through this portal.Mini Ratna from the State, SJVNL signed MoUs for 7 Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) with a total capacity of 1958 MW; these are Luhri Stage - I, Luhri Stage - II, Dhaulasidh, Jangi Thopan Powari, Purthi, Bardang. MoUs were also signed with NTPC for projects with total capacity of 520 MW for construction of Miyar HEP and Seli HEP. Apart from it, MoU was signed with NHPC for Dugar HEP project which has a capacity of 449 MW.Apart from Hydro Power Projects, the department of MPP & Power has also entered MoUs worth Rs 1,040 crore with three private entities in Solar Power Sector which shall generate employment to about 1,500 persons. Thereby the cumulative investment from the above MoUs would be of Rs. 26,812 crore with generation of employment to 16,000 persons.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that Himachal Pradesh was blessed to have the able, dynamic and vibrant leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said that State Government was poised to become power State of the country under his leadership.
Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi while thanking the investors for making the Power Conclave a grand success invited the investors on behalf of the State Government for Global Investors’ Meet. He also thanked the Power Department for organizing this Conclave which provided the investors an opportunity to invest in the power sector. Principal Secretary Power Prabodh Saxena while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries, appreciated the role of PSUs in the energy sector in the State and shared about the key reforms undertaken by the State Government. He informed that during the next two years, 645 MW capacity would be added and two HEP projects of Kutehr and Luhri Stage-I would commence construction. He also shared that the department has successfully brought few of the allotted projects to the stage of signing of MoUs with defined timelines for completion, which could not have been achieved earlier. Chairman and Managing Director SJVNL Nand Lal Sharma and Chairman and Managing Director NHPC Balraj Joshi shared vision of their organisations for Himachal Pradesh and expressed satisfaction on the proactive and supportive role of the State Government for completion of Hydro Electric projects in the State.Director NTPC A.K. Gupta also made a presentation on the occasion.Director Energy Mansi Sahay Thakur made a concise presentation in which she presented a brief overview of the Hydro Power sector in the State and the present status of hydro power projects with respect to whose MoUs were signed in the Power Conclave.Additional Chief Secretary Industries Manoj Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.Chairman HP Electricity Regularly Commission SKBS Negi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, MD HPSEBL J.P. Kalta, CEO HIMURJA Kritika, besides other senior officers of the State Government.