CM calls on Union Power Minister RK Singh in New Delhi
By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, Aug 21: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called on Union Energy Minister RK Singh here, today, and sought permanent allocation of 400-450 MW from coal based plants to Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that, in order to secure the base load of the state’s energy security and to keep the state free from widespread power cuts, it is necessary to have permanent allocation of 400 MW from coal-based plants to the state of Uttarakhand.
CM Dhami also urged the Union Minister to provide assistance in restoring and repairing the power lines and towers damaged due to the ongoing monsoon driven calamity.
The Union Minister assured him that the Centre would compensate the cost of repairs and restoration of the damage and, for this, the state should conduct a survey of the damaged transmission towers and submit the report to the Centre. The Centre would take a positive decision after getting the report.
The Chief Minister further requested the Union Power Minister to approve setting up of power lines and power plants in the border areas at the earliest. The Union Minister said that the Centre would establish separate norms and standards for the hill states and, following this, power lines and power plants would be set up in the border areas soon.
Dhami further asked Singh that the state be provided additional power from the Central Pool on which Singh agreed to take positive action. The CM said that a long-term plan is being worked out for power generation from solar energy, hydro power as well as coal in the state.
The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for providing an average of 300 MW electricity per month from the unallocated quota between April and September, 2023, to the state. He said that more than 60 percent of the total energy availability in the state of Uttarakhand is from hydro power plants, in which there is a wide fluctuation due to seasonal changes and the production goes down to just about one-third in the winter season.
The Chief Minister added that the technical committee of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in its report has recommended making available about 400 MW of electricity from coal-based plants to Uttarakhand, while accepting the non-availability of base load in the state of Uttarakhand.
Union Minister RK Singh assured Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of all possible cooperation. In relation to the Kishau Dam, the Union Minister said that, after holding discussions with all the states, the work would be started soon after settling the objections.
Union Secretary, Energy, Pankaj Arora, Secretary, Energy, Uttarakhand R Meenakshi Sundaram and MD, UPCL, Anil Kumar were present on the occasion.
