SRINAGAR: With the unrelenting dry spell, the power generation capacity in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be impacted, and the Power Development Department (PDD) may face a distressing situation in the upcoming summer and winter seasons.
Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD), H Rajesh Prasad, said, “The ongoing long dry spell will likely have an impact on power generation in the upcoming summer and winter seasons.”
“If the weather situation remains the same, I think we will be in distress in the upcoming summer and winter seasons. If it persists, the problem won’t end in the summer season only; this will affect more in the next winter season wherein we usually face water shortage,” Prasad said.
The principal secretary further said that as of now, the PDD was generating 200-250 MWs out of a total generation capacity of over 1200 MWs. “In summer, we have a peak season of power generation. During summers, we generate over 1100-1200 MWs.”
In the meantime, top officials of the PDD said, “As of now, the ongoing dry spell will not affect power generation from the ongoing season. However, if it persists, the dry spell will likely affect power generation from the upcoming seasons.”
The official further said that the department was not experiencing any immediate impact. “But keeping in view the ongoing weather situations, we assume that power generation at peak season will get affected.”
It also said, “This winter season, we have already witnessed extremely low water levels and from the upcoming season, we may witness the worst of it if we won’t have any major rains and snowfall.”
Pertinently, KNO in December-2023 already reported that the power generation capacity from Jammu and Kashmir has reduced by nearly 85 per cent due to water shortage.
From across the region, the total power generation capacity is 1200 Megawatts.
Principal Secretary of PDD H Rajesh Prasad had said that there was a huge shortfall of power generation from the Union Territory pool.
“From the state pool, we have a power generation capacity of 1200 MW. However, due to the shortage of water in December 2023, we are generating only 150 MWs during the ongoing winters,” Prasad said.
The Principal Secretary had further said that Jammu and Kashmir were more dependent on the central pool to fill the power gaps to a larger extent.
Prasad said, “From the total capacity of 2800 MWs, we are getting 2650 MWs from the central pool and only 150 MWs are being generated from the state pool. This includes all the recent PPAs made by the JKPDD.”
Earlier on December 12, authorities said that the Jammu Kashmir government in the ongoing fiscal has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for 2500 MW to double the existing power availability. (KNO)
