According to Dhumal in the past one year, totally 18 hydropower projects of over five MW capacities were allotted through global bidding to Indian companies.
“Fourteen hydropower projects above 5 MW allotted to nine companies, including Jindal Power Ltd, DCM Shriram Hydro Energy Ltd, Patel Engineering Ltd, Moser Baer Projects Pvt Ltd and ABG Shipyard Ltd, have been cancelled in the last one year,” Dhumal said in a written reply in the state assembly.
“The projects were cancelled for the failure of the companies to deposit the upfront premium with the government on time,” Dhumal said.
Jindal Power Ltd was allotted three projects, DCM Shriram Hydro, Moser Baer and ABG Shipyard two projects each, and Patel Engineering one project.
The two Moser Baer projects, Reoli and Sach Khas, have a capacity of 420 MW and 149 MW, respectively.
Himachal Pradesh has decided to invite bids for four projects at Rashil, Tandi, Lara Sumta and Patam.
As per the state’s amended power policy, the bidder who offers more free power to the state in addition to the fixed quota is allotted projects.
The fixed quota is 12% free power for the first 12 years, 18% for up to 30 years, and 30% for up to 40 years. After 40 years, the project will be handed over to the government.
The free power bidding is in addition to the fixed upfront premium of INR20 million per megawatt.
Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources, with five major rivers flowing down the slopes of the Himalayas. Its power generation potential is 20,416 MW or around 25% of India’s total hydropower potential.
Of this, around 6,500 MW has been developed.
Eleven projects with a combined generation capacity of 1,124 MW are under execution by the state electricity board, whereas 15 projects with a capacity of 1,738 MW are being implemented by private companies.
