HimVani

Mandi: The Larji hydro electric power project at Dwada near Thalout in Mandi district here has started production, after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh dedicated it to the nation yesterday.

The project would yield an annual revenue of Rs 180 crore and recover the construction cost in about 8 years.

Currently, the project is generating 130 MW against its 126 MW capacity and earning Rs One crore daily.

The state has vast hydel potential available for harnessing and potential worth about 21,000 MW, out of which only 6,370 MW is currently being harnessed and projects with 5,700 MW capacity are targeted for completion in coming 7-8 years, while remaining projects are to be allotted for execution by floating global tenders to attract best and competent companies.

The state government has already succeeded in getting a record upfront premium of Rs 91 lakh per MW and has received a sum of Rs 258 crore in the first instalment of the upfront premium from five IPPs recently. Besides, the state would be getting 12 percent free power for first 12 years, 18 percent for next 18 years and 30 percent thereafter till 40 years when the allotted project would be required to be vested with the state government.