Himachal seeks ADB funding for hydro power projects

The Himachal Pradesh government has sought Rs 1,600 crore from the Asian Development Bank for producing additional 475-Mw hydro-electricity during the 11th Five-Year Plan.

This was stated today by state Power Minister Vidya Stokes in a meeting on the power sector in New Delhi. She said the state had also decided to seek funding for the Shongtong Karcham (402 Mw), the Kashang (243 Mw) and the Sainj (100 Mw) hydro electric projects.

"The state government has clarified the security angle and has send DPRs of these projects to the central electricity authority," she said. She asked the Ministry of Power to recommend these projects to the department of economic affairs for foreign funding for completing the procedural formalities in time.

Stokes said the state had brought down the transmission and distribution losses to 15.94 per cent during 2006-2007 from 26.61 per cent six years ago.

She asked the Centre to release Rs73.70 crore immediately and demanded Rs 500 crore from the central funds for generating power from small hydro electric projects (up to 25 Mw). She added that small hydro electric projects, having capacity of 750 Mw, were under construction by the private sector.

The minister said, under the agreement, the private sector would inject power at the nearest 22 kilovolt or 33kilovolt sub stations and the state government would transmit the power beyond the sub stations