On December 4, 2023, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 200 Million loan for Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project to improve the quality, efficiency, and reliability of power supply, and aiding the state in achieving 24×7 power to its residents and transitioning to the use of clean energy.
- The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Japan through ADB, will also provide USD 2 million grant to support livelihood enhancement, training, and awareness-raising activities of this project.
What will be done under the Project?
i.ADB will conduct leadership courses and project management programs for the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited(PTCUL) and the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited(UPCL) to support the capacity development.
ii.ADB in collaboration with the Energy department aims to develop an energy transition roadmap in line with Uttarakhand’s commitment to a low carbon future.
iii.To modernise the power infrastructure of Dehradun, this initiative incorporates a cutting-edge, climate-resilient underground cable system spanning 537 kilometres, 354 ring main units, and 99 compact substations.
iv.To enhance the current power system upstream substations will be installed and lines to meet rising electricity demand, reduce congestion, and improve reliability.
v.Women self-help groups (SHGs) in rural areas will be supported with renewable energy access and efficient equipment.
vi.ADB-led training programs for communities on energy conservation and business skills will conducted, along with and educational activities in schools to promote opportunities in the energy sector.
vii.Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) will be involved in implementing and monitoring livelihood activities.
ADB launches initiative to safeguard Hindu Kush Himalayas from Climate Risks
ADB has unveiled a new initiative to address climate and disaster risks in the crucial Hindu Kush Himalaya region, a vital water source supporting over a billion people across Asia.
Note:
The region is warming faster than the global average and if global temperature rises hit 3°C, 75% of glaciers in Bhutan and Nepal could melt by the end of this century.
This will result in increased stress on access to water, threaten food and energy security, and result in significant biodiversity loss.
About the ADB initiative:
Through technical assistance, ADB will undertake deep analysis of multi-hazard risks which include landslides, earthquakes, and floods—including from glacier lake outbursts—and vulnerabilities in Bhutan and Nepal.
This will support the government of Bhutan and Nepal to strengthen their capacities to conduct risk assessments in priority river basins.
- This aims for early warning systems and climate-resilient investment planning, risk management strategies in future infrastructure development.
Key Points:
i.The Hindu Kush Himalayas, with the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions, supply water to 10 major rivers.
- This sustains the livelihoods of 240 million mountain-dwellers and over 1.6 billion people downstream.
ii.Economic losses from disasters in the region totalled USD 45 billion from 1985 to 2014, surpassing other mountain regions.
iii.ADB has committed to providing USD 100 billion in climate financing from 2019 to 2030, with USD 34 billion earmarked for adaptation.
Recent Related News:
i.ADB has approved a loan worth USD 181 million to build quality infrastructure and services in the peri-urban areas of Ahmedabad, Gujarat to control urban sprawl.
ii.ADB has approved a USD 175 million loan for ‘India : Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience of the Madhya Pradesh Road Network Project’. The project aims to upgrade about 500 kilometers of state highways and major district roads to a standard two-lane feature in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
President – Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters – Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
Establishment– 1966
Members – 68
