JSW Energy to commission hydel project in Himachal by 2015

Power company JSW Energy Ltd is expecting to commission its 240-Mw Kutehr hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh by December 2015. The company is investing Rs 1,915 crore in the project. At present, the company is conducting geological survey for the project.

Already, the company has appointed SNC-Lavalin Engineering (P) Ltd, for the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR). The DPR has already been submitted by the company and it has recommended the setting up of 240-Mw power project based on the hydrological assessment carried out by them using available data.

Speaking to Business Standard, JSW Energy Ltd Vice President (Business Development) Navraj Singh said, “We are implementing a 240 MW(3x80 mw) hydro-electric power project on the upper reaches of river Ravi in the district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh. We have been awarded this project on build, own, operate and transfer basis (BOOT) under a competitive bidding and will invest Rs 1,915 crore.”

The cost of the project includes construction and installation of transmission infrastructure to the grid.

He added that the concession period for the project was 40 years from the date of the project achieves commercial operation. Under the pre-implementation agreement, JSWEL is required to provide Himachal Pradesh government with an annual royalty in the form of free power equal to 12 per cent of the deliverable energy for the first 12 years from the commercial operations date, further 18 per cent for the next 18 years and 30 per cent for the remaining ten years.

Already, the company has obtained NOC and environment clearance for the project.