After finding it tough to make headway in new power projects owing to environmental and religious grounds, the state-run Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) is now relying more on its old projects.
UJVNL has now sought permission from the state government and Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) to modernise and renovate its seven old hydel projects.
This is in addition to the renovation process of three small hydel projects, which the UJVNL recently undertook with an investment of Rs 140 crore. These three projects were 3 Mw Galogi, 20.4 Mw Mohamadpur and 9.3 Mw Pathari.
“If we have not been able to construct new projects, it is better that we upgrade and renovate our old projects to increase our power generation,” said a top UJVNL official. The board has also approved the detailed project reports (DPRs) in this regard.
The seven projects are: 240 Mw Chibro, 120 Mw Khodri, 51 Mw Dhalipur, 33.75 Mw Dhakrani, 30 Mw Kulhal, 90 Mw Tiloth and 21.4 Mw Khatima. Most of these projects are running on 40-60 per cent of their total capacity owing to the ageing factor.
