| Project Detail |
The proposed Uttarakhand Power Transmission Strengthening and Distribution Improvement Project will expand the coverage and strengthen the capacity of the transmission network to improve the reliability of power supply to support the distribution network , better utilize the states indigenously available hydropower resources. It will developa disaster- and climate-resilient distribution system in the capital city of Uttarakhand. It will also support in developing community-based energy generation and livelihood opportunities.
Project Name Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project
Project Number 51308-008
Country / Economy India
Project Status Approved
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Loan
The proposed Uttarakhand Power Transmission Strengthening and Distribution Improvement Project will expand the coverage and strengthen the capacity of the transmission network to improve the reliability of power supply to support the distribution network , better utilize the states indigenously available hydropower resources. It will developa disaster- and climate-resilient distribution system in the capital city of Uttarakhand. It will also support in developing community-based energy generation and livelihood opportunities.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy
The power sector in Uttarakhand has been unbundled under the Electricity Act 2003 into three independent utilities: (i) Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) for power generation; (ii) Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand(PTCUL) for transmission and; (iii) Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) for distribution. The states total installed electricity generation capacity was 3,356 MW as of March 2018. Of this, 1,816 MW (54.11%) is generated from hydropower, 520 MW (15.5%) from natural gas, 440 MW (13.1%) from coal, 547 MW (16.3%) from other renewable energy (0.07% from
small hydro, wind and solar) and 31 MW (0.92%) from nuclear sources. It experienced a peak energy deficit of 0.7% in FY20172018 and is anticipating 3% energy shortage in FY20182019.
To bridge the energy gap, a number of generation projects are in various stages of implementation. Hydropower potential in Uttarakhand is estimated to be 25,000 MW, of which only 3,600 MW have been developed. About 5,500 MW of new hydropower plants are under construction in four river basins of Uttarakhand (Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Sharda and Yamuna). However, the capacity of the present transmission system is not sufficient to evacuate the power generated from the proposed new hydropower stations. Thus, the expansion of transmission network will play a vital role not only in evacuating power from new generation projects to load centers efficiently but also in reducing power purchase cost which otherwise need to be purchased from expensive gas-based power plants or shot-term power from central exchanges.
At the same time, expansion of the distribution network in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand and a favorite tourist destination, has become very critical. However, it is becoming difficult to find space to expand the existing overhead distribution network which is aged and overloaded, leading to increased number of outages and higher technical losses. It is facing acute pressure from vehicular traffic due to narrow roads, lack of planning in the past and hilly terrain of the district. Road traffic congestion is affecting the number of tourists visiting during the peak season. This situation demands immediate solution for expansion of the distribution network without serious impact on the road infrastructure.
Impact
Impacts the Project is Aligned with
(i)Continuous reliable power for all electricity consumers in Uttarakhand achieved (24x7 Power for All Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand Action Plan on Climate Change)
(ii)Clean energy transition of Uttarakhand catalyzed (Uttarakhand Vision 2030 and Uttarakhand Solar Policy 2023) |
