SRINAGAR: According to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, his administration has been able to give the public access to more electricity than in prior years. The LG stated that there has been a significant increase in transmission and distribution capacity over the past three years while speaking to a press conference about the state of the power system in Jammu and Kashmir at Raj Bhavan. “We have been able to provide more electricity to the people compared to before, but it is also a reality that our losses have increased,” he stated. According to Sinha, the administration is making every effort to satisfy the peak demand for power throughout the winter. According to him, his administration seeks minimum curtailment in places where 100% metering has been accomplished.According to the LG, the administration is attempting to implement widespread metering in the UT. “In the first phase, smart metres are being installed in Srinagar and Jammu,” he stated. According to him, J&K purchases power for about Rs. 10 per unit, but provides it to clients who fall below the poverty line for Rs. 1.25 per unit. “There is already a huge subsidy, but you all know how much money comes from the billing,” he stated. According to Sinha, the Union Cabinet made a crucial decision this week when it approved the interstate transmission system for the 13 GW renewable energy project in Ladakh, which is part of the green energy corridor phase two project. According to him, Jammu and Kashmir would gain a great deal from the Ladakh energy project since it would lessen reliance on hydroelectricity, which decreases in the winter. J&K will greatly gain from it. The initiatives will lessen the Valley’s reliance on hydro energy output, which decreases in the winter, by providing an alternate power supply via the current 220 KV Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar Transmission System’, he stated. According to the LG, if necessary and feasible, J&K may want to build extra transmission lines in order to obtain more electricity from the aforementioned RE projects. “The transmission line for evacuating power will run through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to Kaithal in Haryana, integrating with the National Grid and interconnection to Ladakh’s existing grid and the 220kV Alusteng Grid in Ganderbal district of Kashmir through Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line, to provide power to J&K,” he stated. “It is certain that the power transfer from Ladakh will positively impact the entire Kashmir valley, improving power availability round the year, especially during power deficit winter months,” he stated. According to him, the power situation in the Jammu region would also improve because there will be a proportionate decrease in the amount of power sent to Kashmir from the 400kV Kishanpur and Jatwal central sector grids located in Jammu. “This reduction will free up tied capacity at these grids, thereby improving availability in Jammu throughout the year,” he stated. “The power supply from the said BESS-supported renewable energy generator, located near Kashmir, will mitigate the low voltage conditions experienced during winters in the valley due to the decrease in hydro generation,” he stated. The project is expected to cost Rs 20,773.70 crore in total and be operational by the 2029–2030 fiscal year. The Central government would provide Rs 8309.48 crore, or 40% of the project’s total cost, in financial aid. The LG stated that all preparations for winter readiness have been finished.“Stock of essentials including ration, wheat, LPG cylinders and medicines are being stocked ahead of winter,” he stated. According to Sinha, roadways would no longer be harmed during the snow removal process because of the purchase of contemporary snow removal equipment.
