J&K Govt hands over two new hydropower projects with 500 MW capacity to NHPC; J&K to get just 12% electricity: Para

Srinagar, Apr 02: Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Thursday revealed that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has handed over two new hydropower projects–240 MW Uri-I Stage-II and 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II projects, with a combined capacity of 500 MW– to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) under an agreement signed between NHPC Ltd and JKSPDCL this year on March 27.

According to the PDP MLA, J&K, under the terms of the MoU, is entitled to over 12 per cent of the electricity generated from NHPC-operated projects. The rest of the electricity, he said, will be transferred to the power grid from which the J&K government buys at market rates to bridge the energy deficit.

Para said the projects will be executed under the BOOT model for 40 years before being transferred back to the UT

In a post on X, Para wrote, “As assembly session continues. J&K govt has handed over two new hydropower projects to NHPC.”

“An agreement has been signed between NHPC Ltd and JKSPDCL to develop the 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II and 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II projects, with a total capacity of 500 MW. The projects will be executed under the BOOT model for 40 years before being transferred back to the UT. The agreement was signed on March 27, 2026, in Jammu.” He added.

“Under the terms of the MoU, J&K is entitled to over 12 per cent of the electricity generated from NHPC-operated projects. The rest is transferred to the power grid from which the J&K government buys at market rates to bridge the energy deficit.” He continued.

“In 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up working groups on Jammu and Kashmir on economic development led by former Reserve Bank of India Governor C. Rangarajan. The group recommended the transfer of Dulhasti and Bursar projects to Jammu and Kashmir, but the request was not heeded.” He said.

“It was followed by a cabinet sub-committee set up by the then National Conference (NC)-led government in 2011 to examine the terms under which hydroelectric projects were shifted to NHPC. The panel recommended the development of the Uri-II project by the state government after the ownership transfer. Also, it put a condition for the construction of the Dulhasti Hydro Project II, subject to the transfer of ownership of the Dulhasti Stage-I project to the state.” He concluded the post.