Shri Nand Lal Sharma CMD SJVN expresses interest in harnessing of hydro power in Arunachal Pradesh

Shimla: Shri Nand Lal Sharma, CMD, SJVN called on Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Chowna Mein on 22nd February, 2020 in Arunachal Pradesh Bhawan, in New Delhi. Shri Sharma while congratulating Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh for successful hosting of seminar on ‘Prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh to Accelerated Development of Hydro Power’ expressed keen interest in tapping Hydro Projects of about 15000 MW in the State in next 10-15 years, for which senior officials of SJVN are in direct contact with the concerned officials of the State.

 

Shri Sharma mentioned that SJVN has vast proven technical expertise in successful development of large Hydro Projects like 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station and 412 MW Rampur Hydro Power Station on river Satluj Basin in Himachal Pradesh in extreme difficult geological conditions. 

 

In recognition to the vast Expertise, Manpower and available Infrastructure, Govt of Himachal Pradesh has allotted four more Hydro Projects namely 780 MW Jangi Thopan, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, 172 MW Luhri Stage-II and 382 MW Sunni Dam HEPs on the same Satluj River Basin, to SJVN. All these projects have been allotted to SJVN on Build Own Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis.   

 

Allocation of Hydro Projects in one single river basin has enabled SJVN for sharing Manpower and Infrastructure Costs amongst projects, for optimum development of river basin. He further explained that the Integrated River Basin Approach is most appropriate in realizing Hydro Potential, wherein viability of the projects can be studied simultaneously, and suitable projects be considered for development.

  

On above lines, Shri Sharma requested Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh to allot the entire Lohit Basin of Arunachal Pradesh to SJVN on BOOM basis to study and harness the Hydro potential exceeding 7000 MW.  Keeping in view SJVN’s capacity, expertise and ambition to harness more than 15000 MW Hydro Potential in the state, the company also intends to mutually identify more doable projects in other river basins of Arunachal Pradesh such as Subansari, Dibang, Siang etc. 

 

Shri Sharma further deliberated that under the existing Power scenario of long gestation period with low tariff regimes, obtaining of PIB/CCEA clearances for Hydro Projects is a challenging task. Appreciating the above, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir and Govt. of Himachal Pradesh have taken a step forward by extending  concessions to bring down the tariff of the Project such as Deferred free power to state, 50% SGST Waiver, Exemption from Toll taxes, Local taxes, Water usages tax, Reduction in CAT Plan cost, Free Govt. Land coming under the Project. For sustainable and viable harnessing of Hydro Power, SJVN looks forward to similar support from Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, so as to enable the State to emerge as ‘Power House of the Nation.’ This would usher in a new era of prosperity and overall development of Arunachal Pradesh, leading to progress of the common populace as well as development of new Industries in the State.

 

Shri Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh assured all possible assistance in the development of hydro potential in the State.SJVN has also forayed into the fields of Renewable Energy, Power Transmission and Thermal. SJVN has envisaged Internal Growth Targets and is vigorously marching forward for achieving installed capacity of 5000 MW by 2023, 12000 MW by 2030 and 25000 MW by year 2040.