By IANS
Shimla : A top public sector hydel power company in Himachal Pradesh aims to generate a record 6,600 million units of electricity this fiscal.
The central government and the Himachal Pradesh government jointly own The Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL). It has built and now runs the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri project, the country’s largest hydel project.
“SJVNL plans a gross energy generation of 6,600 million units with an expected revenue realisation of Rs.1,378 crore (Rs.13.78 billion) during 2008-09 from the 1500 MW Nathpa project,” a company spokesperson said here Tuesday.
“A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between Anil Razdan, Secretary power, Ministry of Power and H.K. Sharma, SJVNL chief in New Delhi Tuesday,” the official said.
“The MoU also targets construction of the 412 MW Rampur project. The project is coming up on the river Sutlej and filtered waters of the Nathpa project are being diverted to the Rampur project downstream,” he said.
“The MoU also provides for excavation of 5,250 metres of the 15 km long head race tunnel of this project by March next year. It also spells out schedules for submission of detailed project reports of two other hydel projects – the 252 MW Devsari and 56 MW Naitwar Mori hydel projects – located in neighbouring Uttarakhand.
“According to the MoU, the Ministry of Power will support SJVNL as to be designated as a schedule A company and help it join the club of mini ratna PSUs,” the official said.
Three years ago the company entered the selected club of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) who sign an MoU with the government of India every year.
“Last year the SJVNL achieved a record power generation of 6,450 million units surpassing the target of 6,397 million units,” the official said.