Punjab Energy signs MoU for power supply from hydel project

Chandigarh, Apr 10 (UNI) Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) today signed an MoU with TOSS Mini Hydel Power Project for supplying 20 MW power to Punjab from its mini hydel project near Kullu in Himachal Pradesh.

PEDA Chief Executive, Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu signed the MoU on behalf of PEDA while TOSS GM, R S Mehta, signed on behalf of his company. Punjab Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Bikram Singh Majithia was present on the occasion As per the MoU, PEDA will pay a sum of Rs 100 crore to TOSS for supply of power to Punjab through the Northern Grid.

This is the 21st MoU signed by PEDA with private developers setting up mini hydro projects in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for drawing 250 MW power from these hydel works for supply to Punjab. All these 21 projects are scheduled for commissioning during the year 2009-10.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that PEDA was committed to generate 10 per cent of the power requirement of the state through non-renewable resources including mini-hydro projects.

He said that NCES policy has been framed to attract private developers to participate in these projects.

He said that Punjab Government's NRSE policy provides attractive power tariff for power generation from non-conventional energy projects.

The Minister said that PEDA was committed to generate 1500 MW power from non-conventional energy sources and 17 MW power would be produced through Solar Photovoltaic Power Projects, whereas Biomass Projects with a capacity of 350 MW are under implementation.

He said that PEDA is going to generate 400 MW power in next five years and various projects with 104 MW are already in pipeline.

PEDA has also tied up with Northern Grid to generate 250 MW power through the mini hydel projects he added.

Stressing on the need for energy conservation, the Minister said that besides promoting the usage of CFL, PEDA was working out an arrangement with Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for the safe disposal of CFLs after the expiry period.

UNI HS PDT RN1849