The Uttarakhand government has quietly begun the process of allotment of micro, mini and small hydropower projects, the bids for which were invited in 2008 under the self-identification route.
The government had received nearly 736 bids from private developers but was going slow owing to concerted campaign by a section of environmentalists and VHP leaders, who are opposing hydropower projects. “We have allotted nearly 50 projects in the first round,” said Principal Secretary, Energy Shatrughan Singh. But he refused to disclose the names of the companies saying the information would soon be displayed on a website.
When asked as to why a press conference was not being held in this regard, Singh only said it was up to the CM to take a decision.
The only information which has come so far is that Madhucon Projects has been allotted three projects of 25 Mw each.
Earlier, the Urja Cell, which is evaluating these bids, had given different reasons for the delay. It was pointed out that at least two to three different developers had sent bids on the same project under the self-identified route. “Yes, there are some difficulties related to overlapping,” said Singh. He also said nearly 60-70 bids had been cancelled on technical grounds.
In the next phase, other projects would be allotted. Initially, the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), a state government enterprise, which received these bids, was made the nodal agency for the entire process. But later, the process was handed over to the urja cell.
After suspending two big hydropower projects – 480-Mw Pala Maneri and 380-Mw Bhaironghati on environmental and religious grounds, the government was keen to focus on its new power policy on micro, mini and small hydropower projects in the hill state with a hope to generate 1,000 Mw.
These hydropower projects have been grouped in three broad categories – micro, mini and small. Projects with capacity up to 100 Kw will be categorised as micro, mini will comprise between 100 Kw and 5 Mw and small projects will consist of above 5 Mw and up to 25 Mw.
