In the series of domestic roadshows, for attracting investors interest in the ‘Global Investors’ Meet scheduled at Dharamshala for November 7th-8th, a Power Conclave was organised by the Department of MPP and Power in which as many as 10 MoUs were signed for hydro projects.

Officials said these have an investment of Rs 25,772 crore with a capacity of 2927 MW providing potential employment to 13,250 persons with NTPC, SJVNL and NHPC for harnessing identified hydro projects in the State here today.

Addressing the investors on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the three energy majors of the country that is SJVNL, NTPC, NHPC were playing a pivotal role in harnessing hydro power in the State. He said that it was a matter of pride for Himachal Pradesh to be one of the leading states in the country in hydro energy sector.

The Chief Minister said that vision of organising the Global Investor Meet was aimed at attracting investment to the State thereby ensuring economic activities in the State. He said that this would provide employment and self employment opportunities to the youth and thereby transform the economy of the State. He said that the State Government till now has succeeded to get 570 MoUs worth about Rs 75,700 crore signed, which were bound to usher in an era of progress and prosperity in the State.

Thakur said the recent initiatives taken by the State Government like simplification of procedures, deferment of free power royalty for critical period of 12 years for allotted projects and reduction in upfront premium and capacity addition charges, would go a long way in achieving growth and sustainable development in hydro sector.

The Chief Minister said that the State was a ‘blessed state’ as it has been bestowed with bounties of nature like presence of vast river basins of five rivers that provide immense potential of more than 23,500 MW harnessable hydro energy. He said that the State had achieved 100% rural electrification in 1988 and today is acknowledged as ‘Clean & Green Power Destination’.

He invited the investors on behalf of the State Government for Global Investors’ Meet in Dharamshala on 7th & 8th November this year.

Thakur also launched HIMURJA’s online portal  Unified Single Window Clearance Portal for processing of Rooftop Solar PV (USRTPV), which will enable the consumers to apply for rooftop solar system online and relevant stakeholders would be able to process applications online through this portal.

Apart from Hydro Power Projects, the department of MPP & Power has also entered MoUs worth Rs 1,040 crore with three private entities in Solar Power Sector which shall generate employment to about 1,500 persons. Thereby the cumulative investment from the above MoUs would be of Rs 26,812 crore with generation of employment to 16,000 persons.

Top officials in the power sector and heads of PSUs were present in the meeting.