Srinagar: The government plans to set up a 900-km power transmission link in the newly carved Union Territory of Ladakh, LiveMint reported .
It will help large solar and wind energy projects in Ladakh supply electricity across the country, said Anand Kumar, secretary in the Union ministry of new and renewable energy.
The move is part of India’s strategy to develop the region.
The rupees 11,000-crore marque project seeks to resolve grid connectivity problems faced by Ladakh. This is also expected to attract investments for setting up green energy projects in the cold desert region.
The power link will initially transfer around 2,500 megawatts (MW) and will be developed in the third phase of the green energy corridors to help tap Ladakh’s solar energy potential of 40 gigawatts (GW).
The strategic project assumes significance as it will help supply power to the people of Leh and Kargil districts, besides defence establishments, during harsh winters and also help transmit surplus power to the rest of the country in summers. However, its construction will be a logistical challenge, considering the region remains snow covered for nearly six months with very low temperature and oxygen levels.
“Various options are being discussed to facilitate the power transmission project. It can be either a VGF (viability grant funding) project or a PPP (public-private partnership) project or a mix of both. It may also have a generation component,” said Kumar.
VGF is a grant and is at the centre of India’s infrastructure-creation plans through PPPs.
