Centre approves Rs.973 Cr investment for 1, 856 MW Sawalkot HEP in J&K
In a significant decision, the Union Ministry of Power has approved an investment of Rs.973 crore for the proposed 1,856 Mega Watt SawalkoteHydro ElectricPower (HEP) project in Jammu and Kashmir.
“GoI conveyed investment approval of Rs.973 Crs. (Nov.21 PL) for pre-construction activities of 1856MW Sawalkote HEP, the largest Hydropower Project in J&K, which will further boost Hydropower development in J&K,” National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) said in a tweet.
Sawalkot project is a run-of-the-river project proposed on the river Chenab in district Ramban and Udhampur.
The NHPC in January 2021 signed an MoU with the J&K administration for developing Sawalkot hydro-electric project which has been delayed since its conception in 1984.
Earlier, the NHPC has floated tender for turnkey execution of 1,856 MW Sawalkot Hydro Electric Project in the month of March 2022. As per the tender, the work has to be executed in a period of 120 months with a contract value of Rs.12,190.5 crore.
The project involves the construction of a run-of-river 1,856MW hydroelectric power plant on 1,099 Ha of land and will be executed in two phases.
The first phase includes the construction of 1,406MW hydroelectric power plant comprising six units of 225MW and 56MW power plant.
The second phase includes the construction of 450MW hydroelectric power plant comprising two units of 225MW each.
It also includes the construction of 193m concrete dam, a powerhouse to install turbines, two diversion tunnels of 1,080m and 690m, three power tunnels of 570m, and spillway and access road tunnels of 2,300m, substation, access roads, the laying of transmission lines, the installation of turbines, generators and transformers.
NHPC and JKSPDCL is also exploring the possibility of developing the renewable energy potential of J&K including (but not limited to) solar, wind and small hydro projects either by expanding the scope of existing joint venture companies or by creating a new joint venture company.
NHPC will help in capacity building of engineers and staff of J&K with special attention to staff from JKSPDCL.
The 930 MW Kirthai-11 project shall be executed by Chenab Valley Power Projects (a joint venture company of NHPC, JKSPDCL and PTC India), on the same terms and conditions as have been agreed for Pakaldul, Kiru and Kwar HEPs.
