By IANS,
Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday unveiled a new hydroelectric projects development policy.
“The power policy from the generation point of view has traditionally focused on large hydel power projects. The power potential for smaller projects has not been exploited,” he told reporters.
“Need was felt to revisit the policy and today the state cabinet finally approved the new policy.”
Describing the salient features of the policy, the chief minister said it shall apply to hydropower projects of estimated installed capacity ranging from 2 to 100 megawatts.
Omar said the projects would be offered to the bidders on concession for a period of 35 years from the scheduled commercial operational date.
“At the end of the concession period, the projects shall be transferred to the state on payment of terminal value without any encumbrances unless the period is extended beyond 35 years on mutually agreed terms.”