JAMMU, Feb 9: Jammu and Kashmir’s hydro power generation capacity is set to more than double over the next five years, with the total installed capacity projected to reach 7,314.85 MW by 2030–31, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question by National Conference legislator Khurshied Ahmad, Abdullah, who also holds the Power Development portfolio, said the Union Territory currently has 32 operational hydro power projects with a combined installed capacity of 3,540 MW.
He said these include 13 UT sector projects generating 1,197 MW, six central sector projects with a capacity of 2,250 MW, and 12 private sector (IPP) projects contributing 92.75 MW.
The Chief Minister said the government has planned an additional 3,704.5 MW capacity through eight proposed and six under-construction hydroelectric projects, scheduled to be commissioned between 2026–27 and 2030–31.
Giving a year-wise breakup, Abdullah said 1,685.7 MW will be added in 2026–27, followed by 577.5 MW in 2027–28, 1,370 MW in 2029–30 and 141 MW in 2030–31, taking the overall capacity to 7,314.85 MW.
Replying to another question on the delay in execution of the Ans (Nandoli) hydro power project in Gulabgarh constituency, tendered in 2011–12, Abdullah said the project was allotted in November 2012 and the implementation agreement was signed in March 2013, but execution was delayed due to non-performance by the Independent Power Producer.
He said a notice of default was issued to the IPP in August 2025, following which a Detailed Project Report was submitted on October 8, 2025. However, a subsequent financial analysis submitted in January 2026 indicated a 40-year levelised tariff of Rs 7.30 per unit, making the project techno-economically unviable under prevailing market conditions.
The IPP has sought exit from the project along with refund of the premium amount, citing external and policy-related constraints. Abdullah said the matter is under consideration by the J&K State Power Development Corporation as per the implementation agreement and the Hydroelectric Power Policy, 2011.
Earlier, the Chief Minister told the House that all villages in Jammu division have been electrified, either through on-grid or off-grid modes. He said while no village remains completely unelectrified, some newly developed habitations or households are yet to be covered.
Responding to a question by BJP MLA Satish Kumar Sharma, Abdullah said efforts are underway to electrify such habitations under the centrally sponsored DA-JGUA and UT Capex schemes. He added that some remote habitations in Billawar constituency were earlier dropped from sanctioned DPRs due to cost escalation, and fresh DPRs are now being prepared.
