SRINAGAR: The Jammu Kashmir government has confirmed that the 1.5 MW Bhaderwah Small Hydro Electric Project (SHEP) in Doda district has remained non-functional since 2019, following severe canal damage and the ageing of its electro-mechanical equipment. The government has now initiated steps for its revival under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a 20-year operation and maintenance plan.
Originally commissioned in the early 1960s with a modest capacity of 300 kW, the Bhaderwah project was among the earliest attempts in Jammu and Kashmir to harness hydro resources for electricity generation. It was later upgraded in phases to reach a total installed capacity of 1.5 MW. Two generating units were commissioned in May 2005, while a third was added in 2012. Together, these units cumulatively generated 12.67 million units (MUs) of electricity over the project’s operational life.
The project sources its water from the Haloon Nallah, channelled through a 2.5-kilometre-long water conductor system to a powerhouse operating at a net head of 230 metres. Power is generated at 400 volts and stepped up to 11 kV for transmission through an 11-kilometre feeder line connecting to the Gowari receiving station in Bhaderwah.
However, the plant was forced to shut down in January 2019 after its canal infrastructure sustained extensive damage. Compounding the issue, the turbines, generators, and control systems had reached the end of their service life. Before closure, the plant’s performance had already declined to an average annual generation of 3.93 MUs, corresponding to a Plant Load Factor of just 5.98 per cent — a level far below optimal efficiency.
In March 2022, the Hydro Research and Energy Development Division of IIT Roorkee prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) highlighting the urgent need for renovation and modernization (R&M). The DPR proposed a complete overhaul of the plant, including the replacement of turbines and generators, reconstruction of civil works, and remodeling of the canal system. The project is estimated to cost Rs 10.43 crore and is expected to take about 24 working months once work begins.
The report also emphasised sustainable practices during reconstruction, including the use of locally available materials and measures to mitigate environmental impact such as erosion control and habitat protection.
IIT Roorkee has been engaged once again to update the original DPR and carry out valuation of project assets. The updated report, which will refine technical specifications and cost estimates, is expected to be submitted by November 2025.
To ensure financial and operational sustainability, the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), in coordination with the Planning Development and Monitoring Department, has initiated the process for the project’s revival through the PPP mode. The Cabinet Investment and Technical Advisory Group (CITAG) has already recommended the move, and a Transaction Advisor will soon be appointed to manage bidding and contract structuring.
According to official data, total capital expenditure on the Bhaderwah SHEP up to March 31, 2025, stands at Rs 13.35 crore. This includes historical investment from commissioning through to maintenance and partial upgrade works. Once the modernization process begins under the PPP framework, private participation is expected to bring both technical efficiency and financial stability to the project.
The government said the revival of the Bhaderwah hydro project is part of a broader effort to modernise Jammu and Kashmir’s small hydro sector, which has historically played a vital role in supplying clean energy to remote areas.
