SJVN keen on harnessing of hydropower in Arunachal Pradesh

New Delhi: Nand Lal Sharma, CMD, SJVN Limited has said that the company is keen in harnessing of Hydro Power in Arunachal Pradesh. The CMD called on the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein on February 22 in New Delhi. Sharma while congratulating the deputy CM for successfully hosting the seminar on 'Prosperity of Arunachal Pradesh to accelerated development of hydropower' expressed keen interest in tapping hydro projects of about 15000 MW in the State in next 10-15 years, for which senior officials of SJVN are in direct contact with the concerned officials of the state.

Sharma mentioned that SJVN has vast proven technical expertise in the successful development of large hydro projects like 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri hydropower station and 412 MW Rampur hydropower station on river Satluj Basin in Himachal Pradesh in extreme difficult geological conditions.

SJVN gets 4 more hydro projects in Himachal

In recognition to the vast expertise, manpower and available infrastructure, govt of Himachal Pradesh has allotted four more hydro projects namely 780 MW Jangi Thopan, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, 172 MW Luhri Stage-II and 382 MW Sunni Dam HEPs on the same Satluj River Basin, to SJVN. All these projects have been allotted to SJVN on Build Own Operate and Maintain (BOOM) basis.

Allocation of hydro projects in one single river basin has enabled SJVN for sharing manpower and infrastructure costs amongst projects, for optimum development of river basin. He further explained that the integrated river basin approach is most appropriate in realizing hydro potential, wherein the viability of the projects can be studied simultaneously, and suitable projects are considered for development.

SJVN demands allotment of entire Lohit Basin

CMD Sharma requested Govt of Arunachal Pradesh to allot the entire Lohit Basin of Arunachal Pradesh to SJVN on BOOM basis to study and harness the Hydro potential exceeding 7000 MW. Keeping in view SJVN's capacity, expertise and ambition to harness more than 15000 MW Hydro Potential in the state, the company also intends to mutually identify more doable projects in other river basins of Arunachal Pradesh such as Subansari, Dibang, Siang etc.

Sharma further deliberated that under the existing power scenario of long gestation period with low tariff regimes, obtaining of PIB/CCEA clearances for hydro projects is a challenging task. The governments of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have taken a step forward by extending concessions to bring down the tariff of the project such as deferred free power to the state, 50% SGST Waiver, exemption from toll taxes, local taxes, water usages tax, reduction in CAT plan cost, free govt land coming under the project. The CMD said, "For sustainable and viable harnessing of hydropower, SJVN looks forward to similar support from Govt of Arunachal Pradesh, so as to enable the State to emerge as 'Power House of the Nation." This would usher in a new era of prosperity and overall development of Arunachal Pradesh, leading to progress of the common populace as well as the development of new industries in the state, he added. Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh assured all possible assistance in the development of hydro potential in the State.

SJVN Limited has also forayed into the fields of Renewable Energy, Power Transmission and Thermal. SJVN has envisaged internal growth targets and is vigorously marching forward for achieving installed capacity of 5000 MW by 2023, 12000 MW by 2030 and 25000 MW by the year 2040.