By IANS
Shimla : The World Bank has agreed to provide Rs.70 billion to build eight hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh, say top government sources.
The agreement in principle was reached after a meeting Monday between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and World Bank officials in Washington, confirmed state Power Secretary J.P. Negi, who is accompanying the chief minister.
The projects to be funded by the World Bank include Khaab (636 MW), Sawra Kudu (111 MW), Dhamwari-Sunda (70 MW), Harsar (60 MW), Renuka (40 MW), Chirgaon-Manjgaon (46 MW), Bharmaur (45 MW) and Dhaula Sidh (40 MW).
The state-run Himachal Power Corp will build these projects in partnership with the private sector.
Himachal Pradesh has one-fourth of the country’s hydropower potential at over 20,000 MW. However, less than a quarter of this potential has been tapped so far due to shortage of funds.