Debunking the Notion of Free Electricity from J&K’s Rivers.

Debunking the Notion of Free Electricity from J&K’s Rivers. Pic/ daily excelsior.

J&K’s Abundant Hydroelectric Potential

It is true that the waters flowing down the rivers of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are part of its most valuable natural resources and these waters are used for producing electricity.

The Reality of Power Generation

J&K boasts an impressive installed generation capacity of 3220 MW from its hydroelectric power plants. However, it’s crucial to understand the limitations of this capacity.

Power Demand vs. Generation Capacity

A detailed analysis of J&K’s power demand and the actual generation capacity reveals a significant deficit, especially during the winter months.

The Cost of Exploiting Natural Resources

While water is indeed a valuable natural resource, it comes with a cost when exploited for electricity generation. Let’s break down the economics of this endeavor.

In recent days, there has been much discussion about providing free electricity to consumers in J&K, fueled by the belief that since the electricity is generated from the region’s rivers, it should be free. However, this notion is misleading, to say the least. The reality is far more complex.

J&K’s hydroelectric potential is undeniably substantial, with an installed capacity of 3220 MW from power plants located along its rivers. The Chenab River alone contributes around 2009 MW to this capacity, and upcoming projects like Kiru, Kwar, Rattle, and Pakkal-Dul are expected to add another 3000 MW in the next few years. However, the crucial factor to consider is the seasonality of river flow, which greatly affects actual power generation.

During the winter months, when river discharge drops to approximately one-third of its summer levels, the effective generation capacity plummets to around 1100 MW. Engineers employ various strategies to maximize output during peak hours, but these constraints remain.

In the last financial year (2022-23), J&K faced a peak load demand of approximately 3365 MW in summers and 3209 MW in winters. Even if all the generation from local rivers were directed to power consumers, there would still be a deficit of around 145 MW during summers and a staggering 2109 MW during winters.

Considering this backdrop, the call for free power from J&K’s rivers is unrealistic. While water is indeed a natural resource, exploiting it for electricity generation comes at a considerable cost. For example, the Kiru project, with an installed capacity of 624 MW, comes at a cost of approximately Rs. 5000 crores. Joint venture companies, funded by loans from national and international lenders, are responsible for these projects and must repay the borrowed funds.

Electricity is a commodity, and it’s essential to recover the investment made in power projects to ensure their sustainability. While there is provision for subsidies under the Electricity Act of 2003, these subsidies are typically provided to specific consumer groups and compensated by the government, not by expecting power companies to provide free electricity.

In conclusion, the notion of free electricity from J&K’s rivers is impractical given the complexities of power generation and the financial realities associated with it. It’s crucial to strike a balance between harnessing natural resources for the benefit of the people and ensuring the economic viability of power projects.