Telangana Eyes Hydel Power Projects in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla/Hyderabad, [Date]: In a strategic move to strengthen its power generation capacity, the Telangana government has expressed keen interest in hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh. This follows an invitation from the Himachal Pradesh government for proposals to develop 22 hydroelectric projects on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis.

A delegation of senior officials from Telangana’s Power Department recently visited Himachal Pradesh to assess the feasibility of participating in these projects. As part of their visit, they held discussions with the Secretary of the Department of Power, Himachal Pradesh, and conducted field inspections of the SELI Hydro Electric Project (400 MW) and MIYAR Hydro Electric Project (120 MW). After a thorough evaluation, the team recommended that Telangana focus on projects with a capacity of more than 100 MW, given the state’s growing energy demands.

Building on this assessment, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, accompanied by the Principal Secretary, Department of Energy, Government of Telangana, met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to formally convey Telangana’s interest. The meeting, held in the presence of senior officials from the Himachal Pradesh government, saw the Deputy CM submitting an official letter confirming Telangana’s willingness to collaborate on the SELI (400 MW) and MIYAR (120 MW) projects.

During the discussions, Bhatti Vikramarka requested the Himachal Pradesh government to share a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for review. He assured that Telangana would initiate the necessary procedures to finalize the MoU at the earliest.

Strengthening Telangana’s Power Supply

With a rapidly growing economy and increasing electricity demand, Telangana has been actively exploring new energy sources to ensure uninterrupted power supply for industries, agriculture, and households. While the state has made significant strides in thermal and renewable energy generation, securing a stake in hydel power projects in Himachal Pradesh presents a unique opportunity to diversify its energy mix.

Hydroelectric power is not only a clean and renewable energy source but also plays a crucial role in balancing the grid, especially during peak demand periods. By tapping into Himachal Pradesh’s rich hydro resources, Telangana aims to enhance its energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The Telangana government is expected to move swiftly in completing the MoU process and initiate further steps for investment in the selected hydel projects. Once operational, the power generated from these projects will be integrated into Telangana’s electricity grid, ensuring a reliable supply for the state’s long-term energy needs.

This initiative underscores Telangana’s commitment to sustainable energy development while fostering inter-state collaboration for mutual benefit.