The cancellation of 56 hydel projects has cast a shadow over the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency’s (Ureda’s) plans to develop micro hydel projects in the hill state despite heavy grant available in the sector.
“We have prepared a proposal under which micro hydel projects will be developed by the locals,” said Additional Renewable Energy Secretary N K Jha. However, the proposal is lying with the government which is weighing all options in view of the matter related to the cancellation of 56 hydel projects pending before the High Court.
“Till the court order comes, we cannot take a decision regarding the development of micro hydel projects,” said a government official.
Under the power policy 2008, the government had chalked out plans to develop micro hydel projects (upto 100 Kw). Under this policy, only local bodies, societies and NGOs can develop such projects. So far, the Ureda has received nearly 123 applications for the development of micro projects.
Early this year, Ureda was made nodal agency for the development of micro projects under a cabinet decision. The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has fixed Rs 3.5 per unit as the rate for Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) to purchase electricity from such projects.
The centre provides grant of Rs 80,000 per Kw for micro hydel projects. Such grant is Rs 100,000 in the border areas.