Jammu and Kashmir have the potential to generate about 20,000 MW of hydropower, creating countless jobs and numerous avenues for skill development. Elaborate (200 Words)
Refer - Financial Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 4 years
KEY POINTS
· When the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant (330 MW) in Bandipora district was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister , not many would have imagined the benefits it would bring to Jammu & Kashmir in just over a year.
· Apart from providing power and channelising water for irrigation, projects like Kishanganga have brought other benefits such as access to healthcare at minimal costs, imparting new skills or even local area development like sprucing up parks, roads connectivity, or even helping the kids in project vicinity with online classrooms. Over and above, new jobs on offer to the youth in the valley cannot be ignored.
· In fact, the peaking demand in Jammu & Kashmir was recently reported to be at 3,400 MW, which constitutes just 1.8% of the national aggregate. And the actual shortages were brought down substantially after the new projects were realised on the ground.
· Infusing much required liquidity at Rs 4,580 crore via project financing by the PFC (Power Finance Corporation) and the REC (Rural Electrification Corporation) under Atmanirbhar Bharat is under way. This would hasten new projects under implementation.
· Jammu & Kashmir has the potential to generate about 20,000 MW of hydropower (11,283 MW in Chenab basin, 3,084 MW in Jhelum, 500 MW in Ravi and 1,608 MW in Indus). Once the entire power potential is exploited, Jammu & Kashmir can be turned into a net energy exporter.
· Efforts in this direction seem to have been made with the Pakul hydroelectric power project (1,000 MW) being executed on fast-track basis. Yet another project in Chenab valley, Kiru hydroelectric power project (624 MW), also seems to be in advanced stages of implementation.
· The report of the Alok Kumar-led panel to ensure round-the-clock power availability in both the UTs needs to be quickly implemented. If industry, agriculture and household consumption demand are to be met, a fool-proof plan needs to be rolled out.
· As a first step, reeking power infrastructure needs to be overhauled. A beginning seems to have been made to replace wooden poles and barbed wire conductors by investing Rs 90.09 crore, the approval for which has already been given by the Union Ministry of Power.
· The power sector ecosystem is undergoing marked transformation with most central power utilities and finance companies pumping in funds towards community infrastructure development and providing non-commercial services.
Sheetal 4 years
Review plz thank you for your time.
IAS Parliament 4 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
