SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has set a target of raising its operational hydropower generation capacity to nearly 11,000 MW by December 2035, more than three times its present installed capacity of 3,540.15 MW.
The roadmap was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday, with the government outlining project-wise milestones for adding generation capacity over the next decade.
According to the roadmap, J&K’s hydropower capacity is envisaged to reach 10,969.65 MW by December 2035 through the commissioning of a series of major projects, including Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, Ratle, Kirthai-I, Kirthai-II and Sawalkote.
The government said the expansion is aimed at strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on power purchased from outside and creating a stronger energy base for long-term economic growth.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department Ashwani Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Law, Secretary Revenue, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited Rahul Yadav, Deputy Commissioners concerned, heads of power projects, representatives of NHPC and senior officers of the Power Development Department.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the physical and financial progress of major hydropower projects under construction, along with their construction and commissioning schedules.
Ashwani Kumar said J&K has an identified hydropower potential of 14,635 MW, of which around 24.21 per cent has so far been harnessed through projects in the UT, Central Sector and Independent Power Producer segments.
The Chenab Basin accounts for the largest share of the identified potential at 11,283 MW, followed by the Jhelum Basin with 3,084 MW and the Ravi Basin with 500 MW, according to the Power Development Department.
The department has adopted a phased capacity-addition strategy to tap the remaining potential and move J&K towards greater energy self-reliance, officials said.
Under the roadmap, 1,636 MW is targeted to be added through the commissioning of the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP and 12 MW Karnah HEP. The 37.5 MW Parnai HEP is scheduled to follow, taking the cumulative capacity to 5,213.65 MW.
A further 1,390 MW is targeted in 2028 through the 540 MW Kwar HEP and 850 MW Ratle HEP, taking the projected cumulative capacity to 6,630.65 MW.
By December 2029, another 500 MW is expected to be added through Central Sector projects, including the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II and 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II projects.
The subsequent phase between 2031 and 2035 is expected to see the commissioning of the 820 MW Kirthai-II, 390 MW Kirthai-I and 1,856 MW Sawalkote projects, taking the projected hydropower capacity to 10,969.65 MW.
Reviewing projects currently under construction, Dulloo directed officials to closely monitor construction milestones and ensure timely resolution of bottlenecks through better coordination among departments and project authorities.
The 1,000 MW Pakal Dul project has achieved 85 per cent physical progress and 77.54 per cent financial progress, officials said. Filling of its Concrete Face Rock-Fill Dam has reached 89 per cent, with testing and commissioning of Units 3 and 4 scheduled for March 2027 and Units 1 and 2 for May-June 2027.
The 624 MW Kiru HEP has recorded 88.75 per cent physical progress and 73.21 per cent financial expenditure. Dam concreting up to the deck slab has reached 98.99 per cent, with commissioning targeted for March 2027.
The 540 MW Kwar HEP has achieved 37.82 per cent physical and 42.11 per cent financial progress. Excavation of the power house cavern is 99.6 per cent complete, with commissioning targeted for March 2028.
The 850 MW Ratle HEP has achieved 31.53 per cent physical progress, while excavation of its underground power house cavern has been completed. Its revised contractual schedule envisages full commissioning by November 2028.
Among projects in the UT sector, the 12 MW Karnah HEP has reached 93 per cent completion and is expected to undergo wet commissioning, while the 37.5 MW Parnai HEP has achieved 72.5 per cent physical progress. Excavation of its Head Race Tunnel is 98 per cent complete.
The government said the planned expansion would provide a stronger and more reliable energy base for industry, infrastructure, tourism, services and other economic activities.
The roadmap is expected to significantly increase J&K’s power generation capacity and reduce its dependence on external power over the coming decade.
