Power projects given to independent producers
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 17
The state government today decided to award 13 hydroelectric projects with an aggregate capacity of 1,583.50 MW to IPPs (Independent Power Producers) for which global bids on free power basis were invited for the first time.

The decision was taken by the State Cabinet which met under the Chief Minister chairmanship of Prem Kumar Dhumal here today. It reversed the decision to charge upfront premium of Rs 10 lakh per megawatt up to 5 MW and decided to waive it for state domicile IPPs. However, it decided against exempting such IPPs from 6 per cent free power to be given as royalty for the first 12 years.

The projects allotted included Riyoli-Dugali (420 MW), Saili( 320 MW), Duggar( 236 MW), Saach Khas (149 MW), Miyar and Khoksar (90 MW each), Tingret

( 81 MW), Mane Nadang (70 MW), Lara (60 MW), Kuling Lara (40 MW), Siyul (13 MW), Kilhi Bahal ( 7.5 MW) and Shalvi( 7 MW). Besides an upfront premium of Rs 316.70 crore the government will get free power ranging between 13.13 and 26.11 per cent, in addition to the mandatory 12 per cent free power as royalty.

The Cabinet also approved allotment of 27 self-identified hydroelectric projects with total capacity of 81.90 MW to IPPs on BOOT (Built, Own, Operate and Transfer) basis. It assigned execution of 19 small hydroelectric having a total capacity of 76.30 MW to the public sector HIMURJA. The projects included Kothi Stage-II (1.5MW), Lower Sumez (3 MW), Tauhuk (3 MW) in district Kulu, Sechigad (3.8 MW), Kareri (5 MW), Supin (5 MW), Tangnu (5 MW), Sundru (5 MW) in Shimla, Chanju Mehad (5 MW), Tanger Bhaled (5 MW), Chakka (5 MW), Kihan(5 MW), Mehled (4 MW) and Hared(4 MW) in Chamba, Upper Neogal (5 MW) in Kangra, Sarogi (2.2 MW), Nakathana ( 2.1 )MW in Mandi, Jhaneti (2.5 MW) in Sirmour district and Rupi (Tikada) 5 MW in Kinnaur.