By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh is exploring the possibilities of entering into joint ventures with public sector undertakings (PSUs) to set up high-capacity hydro electric projects, official sources said Friday.
The state has about 21,000 MW of hydel potential, out of which 6,500 MW has been harnessed. The government is targeting to generate 50 percent of the total hydro power by 2012.
The sources said the state would prefer PSUs, either of the central or state governments, to undertake such projects in which Himachal Pradesh would have equity participation of up to 49 percent.
The 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri project in Kinnaur district is a joint venture between the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN) of the central government and the Himachal government.
Presently, the National Hydro Power Corp (NHPC), the National Thermal Power Corp and the SJVN are executing various hydro projects in the state.
These projects, the sources said, would be in a position to generate 12,000 MW by 2012.