Mukhtyar Ahmed
The topography of Jammu and Kashmir is highly uneven. The state is blessed with lofty mountains, peaks, river valleys and undulating plains. Such physical feature provides prosperous potential for hydropower development. The estimated hydro power potential of the state is 20,000 Megawatts (MW), out of which about 16475 MW have been identified. Out of the identified potential, only 3263.46 MW i.e. approximately 19.80 % (of identified potential) has been exploited so far, consisting of 1211.96 MW in State Sector from 21 power projects, 2009 MW in Central Sector from 7 projects and 42.5 MW in private sector from 4 projects. These projects are techno-economically practicable, moreover being eco-friendly and socially valuable. In order to harness this potential in a sustained manner, the Government of J&K established the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL) which has been incorporated as Private limited company on 16th February 1995. The Corporation was incorporated to takeover, execute, complete, operate and maintain all power station and power projects of the state. On the other hand there are a number of problems on the way of tapping this hydropower potential. The state has relatively harsh climate due to these climatic conditions in some areas construction could not become possible during 4 to 5 months of the year. Several impending hydropower projects sites subsist in relatively far-flung locations and as a result the infrastructure outlay allied with their growth is too much high. This unavoidably increases the unit cost of installed capacity. Moreover in spite of these restrictive factors still this region offers incredible potential for hydropower development if reasonably harnessed. Hydropower is known as an inexhaustible source of energy, which is mostly considered to be profitable, less-polluting and environment friendly. Hydropower generation is also measured as a key player in satisfying energy requirements of an individual and a society. It helps in the generation of revenue and promotes an economic development of the region. In today world approximately all the nations are making steady efforts to swing from nonrenewable to renewable sources of energy where hydropower development is getting a pivotal place among others. It is because hydropower projects have the advantage of producing power that is both, renewable and clean.
Hydropower Project