After 15 years,Himachal Pradeshis going to change its policy to address fresh challenges in hydro, Biomass and solar power development. The state has prepared adraft energy policy 2021that aims to promote green, clean and sustainable generation of energy to enable quick harnessing of full potential of Himachal Pradesh. It also aims to harness and commission 10,000 MW of hydro energy by 2030 to have an operational capacity of 20,948 MW beside upgrading the existing run ofriver hydro plantsforpumped storage Plants/hybrid power plants.
According to officials, the hydro power policy 2006 of the state has served its objectives well and over the last 15 years, there has been a paradigm shift in energy scenario of the country. The country is moving towards RENEWABLE ENERGY that is total green energy as per the Paris Agreement signed in December 2015. The solar and wind power share is increasing at a faster rate than the hydro. Hydro power along with hybrid, battery and pumped storages and hydrogen energy is going to be the focus areas in coming years.
Himachal Pradesh is blessed with hydro potential of 24,587 MW distributed over five river basins, out of which 10,948 MW has been harnessed (as on October 31 this year) and out of 13,639 MW, maximum potential will be harnessed by 2030.
The principal objectives of draft policy aims to promote green and clean and sustainable generation of energy to enable quick harnessing of full potential of Himachal Pradesh. It aims to expedite development of hydro-electric projects by adopting a four pronged strategy by way of participation of state, joint, central and private sectors.
Under new policy, it has been proposed to promote storage or pondage, including pumped storage power plants/combined cycle power plants, battery storage and other emerging technologies such as Hydrogen storage, capable of quick ramp up and ramp down and store energy with higher efficiency for long duration.
Policy aims to develop adequate and efficient transmission Network in the state and to evolve a dynamic and robust electricity Infrastructure for better consumer Services. It also proposes to revitalize state utility for distribution of power and to establish and promote a power trading entity in the state.