Punjab: 5 hydel projects foundation stone laid

Ludhiana, Sep 12: Environment and Non Conventional Energy Resources Minister Bikram Singh Majitiha on Friday, Sep 12 laid the foundation stone of five mini hydel projects with 5.3 MW capacity being executed on Abohar branch of Sirhind canal at Khanpur bridge.

The five hydel projects are being executed at bridge-cum-falls of canal at Khanpur (11MW capacity) at a cost of Rs 12.60 crore, Sudhar (14 MW capacity) at a cost of Rs 13.20 crore, Akhara, Gholian (capacity 8 MW) at a cost of Rs 9.50 crore and Channuwal (capacity of 9 MW) costing to Rs 9.20 crore.

The projects being executed by Abohar Power Generation Limited will complete within a period of one years.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Majithia said the state government had embarked upon a comprehensive plan to tap the potential of 275 MW Power from the mini hydel projects at the canal falls and tail race of existing hydel channel etc. in the state.

Giving further details of the plan, the Minister informed that out of the total 275 MW capacity at the canal falls and tail race of existing hydel channel etc, 29.55 MW capacity project both in the government and private sector are in operation and many more projects of 34.5 MW capacity are under execution.

He explained that so far the hydraulic head upto 1.8 mt has been exploited and most of the remaining sites on the canal falls have ultra low head below 1.5 mt. The technologies are being identified suitable for ultra low head to harness the entire available hydro potential on the canal falls in the state.

He said that these projects would generate direct and indirect employment in the state and improve the quality of power in the rural areas.

Four mini hydel projects at Chupki, Narangwal, Tugal and Dalla of PEDA with total 5.5 MW capacity are already in operation with the World Bank funding, he said adding that during the coming four years the target of generating of 100 MW from hydel projects would be achieved at a cost of Rs 1000 crore.

He claimed that total 1000 MW power generation will be added from all the renewable energy resources in the state during the coming four years.

UNI