All Himachal private power firms can now sell power

The Himachal Pradesh government today decided to allow all categories of independent power producers (IPPs) to sell off the power from their projects after allowing royalty in the shape of free power to the state government.

The state cabinet has given its nod to private companies by allowing the disposal off power in accordance with the provisions contained in the Electricity Act,2003 and the rules and regulations made under this act.

In case of projects where capacity enhancement has already been approved, the IPPs who have already signed the Implementation Agreements with a different clause of mode of sale of power,will be free to sign open access clause subject to above conditions.

The cabinet also approved change in elevations and capacity enhancement in 23 small hydro electric projects and to charge the Free Power Royalty in accordance with the Power Policy where the capacity enhancement is more than 20 per cent.

It approved enhancement of borrowing limit of HP State Electricity Board Limited from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore.

The government also decided to sell free power share in the Karchham-Wangtoo hydro electric project through Power trading Corporation till the project starts regular generation.

The state cabinet also decided to recruit 5,000 teachers of different categories in various educational institutions of the state in fulfilment of the budget assurance given by the government.