Shimla: Himachal Pradesh government is going to allot 27 hydroelectric projects with combined temporary generation capacity of 722.4 MW and located in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Shimla and Kinnaur for which proposals are invited from ‘qualified bidders’. have been done. Implementation of these projects in the private sector on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis.
Project developers will be required to provide royalty in the form of free power from the project to the government in lieu of surrendering the potential site at 12% for the entire contract period.
Out of total 27 projects, 9 are located in Chamba district, one in Kangra district, one in Lahaul-Spiti district, 5 in Kullu district, 7 in Kinnaur district, one in Shimla district, one on the border of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba. While 2 are on the border of Chamba and Kangra districts. Detailed Project Reports of 7 projects have already been prepared while Preliminary Feasibility Reports (PFRs) and salient features of remaining projects are also available.
According to officials, the developer will be free to dispose of such electricity after meeting the commitments of royalty in the form of free electricity and additional free power at 1% of the deliverable energy to be provided by the project proponent due to the local area. Development Fund through Merchant Cell (LADF).
The project developer will have to ensure that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The e-flow discharge will be monitored by the concerned departments and agencies.
For projects of less than 25 MW capacity, where recommendations are not made by MoEF&CC, the e-flow shall not be less than the initial value of 15% of the minimum flow observed in lean season as per the notification of the State Pollution Control Board. ,
It is clarified that in case of violation by the project developers, action will be taken by the Department and the appropriate authority in accordance with the prevailing guidelines and laws.
As per the information, the operational period of the projects will be 40 years from the scheduled commercial operation date (SCOD) of the project, after which, the project will be returned to the state government free of all encumbrances and liabilities. After completion of 40 years, the state can either extend the agreement on mutually agreed terms and conditions or go for competitive bidding under Renovation and Modernization (R&M) mode for another thirty years, however. In any case the royalty payable to the State for an extended period shall not be less than 30%.