J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said despite having vast potential, J&K was still an energy-deficit State. “We often say that energy saved is energy generated. In J&K, we lose more energy than perhaps anywhere”.
The Chief Minister was speaking while inaugurating a four-day short-term course on Energy and Power Management, organized by School of Infrastructure, Technology and Resource Management, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, at Katra.
Referring to various initiatives taken by the government to speed up pace of development, Mr. Abdullah identified power generation, along with creating employment opportunities for jobless youth and maintenance and improvement in security as the three most crucial areas of intervention. He said J&K has only utilized 2,000 MW generating capacity out of 22,000 MW potential that power sector offers.
Expressing concern over discomfort caused to people over large-scale power theft, the Chief Minister said two pilot projects will be started soon to remotely check pilferage of electricity in the State by installing sim-activated electronic meters.
The Chief Minister said that near-perfection is required in generation, transmission and distribution of power for minimizing losses and bringing in efficient power management. He said the State can ill-afford transmission losses up to 60 per cent and measures have to be taken to prevent such huge losses. “We have to seriously address this aspect and bring about a reformative change”, he said, adding both the government and the consumers have to complement each other to plug this heavy loss.
Referring to the prevailing global energy crisis, he said avenues in new and renewable energy resources have to be explored to supplement conventional energy base in the State. He spoke about his recent meeting with the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah in New Delhi on Friday in which he discussed at length the potential of the State in mini-hydel power projects up to 25 MW as well as solar and wind energy potential the State offers, especially in Ladakh region.
The Chief Minister said the decision to revise State’s Hydel Policy was a step in the direction to tide over power transmission losses, adding that Central government is committed to setting up of non-conventional energy projects in the State. “Measures are being consolidated to harness vast resources of hydro-electric power. New and renewable energy potential would be optimally utilized to give a new direction in power generation in the State”, he added.
Mr. Abdullah lauded the role of SMVDU in imparting quality education and becoming a centre of excellence in such a short span of time.
The Chief Minister also asked the participants to suggest viable and purposeful projects which could be launched in non-conventional energy sector in the State.
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