NHP Conference :Speakers deliberated on harnessing of power in JK

Srinagar, June 11 (Scoop News) – The much awaited two-day National Hydro Power (NHP) Convention on “Harnessing Hydro Power in Northern Himalaya-Challenges and Opportunities”, with special focus on Jammu and Kashmir commenced at SKICC, here today.

            The Convention has been organized by India Tech Foundation of India in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department.

            Over 200 delegates from across the country associated with the power sector including power developers, experts, policy makers, investors are participating in the Convention.

            Union Secretary Water Resources,  Dhruv Vijay Singh,  Chairman and Managing Director NHPC Ltd  A.B.L Srivastava, Principal Secretary Power Development Department, J&K,  Sudhanshu Panday, Managing Director JKSPDC,  Basharat Ahmed Dhar, Director UJVN Ltd,  Sandeep Sanghal besides President India Tech Foundation,  Indra Mohan, General Secretary India Tech Foundation,  Ashish Gupta also participated in today’s session and delivered their lectures on the topic.

            On the first day of the convention, the Union Secretary Water Resources opened plenary and panel discussion session on the theme.

            The speakers deliberated on the topic and matters like need for unified policy on power management, between Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment for expediting environment forest clearances for development of Hydro Power Projects, besides obtaining approval from CEA for power projects DPRs, awarding and management of Hydro Power Projects, understanding the concern of private sector- risk and responsibility sharing by State Government. They dwelt on the need for a separate tariff policy for purchase of power from Hydro power Projects and through tariff based competitive bidding process. They emphasized the need for an IPP Charter for Policies and Regulations for accelerated development of Hydro Power and CSR issues and solutions including responsibilities of the Local Bodies (administration) over the implementation of the projects.

            The Union Secretary emphasized for taking these issues seriously by the concerned ministries for Rapid Hydro Power development in the country to overcome the growing needs of the conventional and non-conventional energy. He said that issues related to his Ministry would be looked into on priority to facilitate all those interested in developing hydropower in the country, particularly in the Jammu and Kashmir.

            The delegates put forth several suggestions for upgrading the power scenario in the State and also to generate power to make the Jammu and Kashmir self-reliant in the energy sector. They opined that such events will open opportunities for the private players to invest in the State in the energy sector as State has rich potential in the sector.

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