The government of Himachal Pradesh plans to attract private sector investment in the hydropower sector and set up a centralized cell to manage the sale and purchase of power. The aim is to boost revenue and attract opportunities for employment, all while generating a significant contribution to the economy. As part of this investment-driven policy, the government intends to harness and commission 10,000 MW of hydro and renewable energy by 2030 and have an operational capacity of around 21,000 MW.
The government is particularly prioritizing power generation, distribution, and sale of electricity, and the state government is emphasizing the importance of revenue generation for the Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (HPPTCL) through its transmission lines. The Corporation owns 15 substations and 964 circuit KM lines in the state and earned an income of Rs. 166.99 crore ($22.7 million) in the last financial year.
Apart from power generation, the corporation is speeding up its work on reducing the duration of its tender process to maximize revenue and benefit the people of the state. They are expected to earn an estimated income of Rs. 455 crore ($62.2 million) by 2025. The Corporation is currently working on the 6 KM Shongtong-Baspa transmission line, crucial for power evacuation from the 450 MW Shongtong-Karcham hydropower projects that is set to wrap up by July 2025. It is also ensuring adequate transmission arrangements for upcoming projects such as bulk drug park to meet the power demands and power evacuation from solar power projects in Lamlehadi and Pekhubela.
To achieve this, a 220/132 KV sub-station and 41 km transmission line from Nehrian to Una will soon be constructed. Additionally, the Corporation plans to make proper transmission arrangements to cater to the electricity demands of the upcoming medical device park in Nalagarh in Solan district and the industrial area at Kala Amb in Sirmaur district.
The policy of the Himachal Pradesh government is geared toward promoting growth in the hydropower sector while exploring ways to attract private sector investment and creating opportunities for employment.
