Targets generation of over 8,000 MW hydropower in 12 years The authorities are hopeful of generating over 8,000 MW power in the next 10 to 12 years even as the state is exploiting less than 10 per cent of its potential capacity of producing 25,000 MW electricity. The 21 power projects owned by the state are generating only 760 MW power at present. India-Tech Foundation president Indra Mohan said the state had a potential of generating 25,000 MW hydropower due to presence of abundant water resources while it was only harnessing less than 10 per cent. He stated this while addressing a press conference here that was called a day ahead of the seventh National Hydropower Convention being organised by the India-Tech Foundation here. The two-day convention will focus on hydropower harnessing in the country, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Managing Director of the J&K Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) Bashir Ahmad Dhar said the state would produce 8,298 MW power in the next 10 to 12 years. “We will be able to produce 8,298 MW power in the next 10-12 years as 41 new power projects will be set up in the meantime. Five projects have already been tendered out and we will be able to produce 3,000 MW power in the next five years. As of now, 760 MW power is generated by the 21 power projects managed by the state while 1,680 MW power is generated by four centrally managed power projects,” he said. Dhar said bids for setting up power projects would be invited globally. He said a national level hydropower training centre would be set up in Ganderbal district of the Kashmir valley that would generate employment avenues in the state. The services of passouts from the centre would be used to man the number of power projects coming up in the state. Dhar said a research project had been commissioned in Ladakh to explore the geothermal potential of the area. Indra Mohan said the state had a “lot to offer” in view of its water resources as setting up hydropower projects was more environment friendly. State produces 760 mw at present l J&K has a hydropower potential of 25,000 MW, of which only 10 per cent is being harnessed l 21 power projects managed by the state produce 760 MW power at present l The J&K Power Development Corporation intends to produce 8,298 MW power in the next 10-12 years by commissioning 41 new power projects l A hydropower training centre coming up in Ganderbal district to train staff for management of power projects l Himachal Pradesh is the most successful state as far as harnessing hydropower potential is concerned. Of the identified hydro potential of 18,820 MW, it has harnessed 7,293 MW so far