On June 14, 2021, an agreement was signed between NHPC (erstwhile National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) and Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation (BSHPC) for the implementation of 130.1-megawatt (MW) Dagmara Hydro-Electricity project (HEP) on river Kosi in Supaul district of Bihar on an ownership basis by the former. The information for the same was provided by the Ministry of Power.
Signatories of MoU:
The MoU was signed through video conference by NHPC Director (Projects) Biswajit Basu on behalf of NHPC and BSHPC Managing Director Alok Kumar in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge) Raj Kumar Singh, Ministry of Power and Bihar Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav.
Key Points:
i.A grant of Rs 700crore will be provided by the Bihar Government for Capex (Capital expenditures) requirements of project . It will be proportionate to capital infusion by NHPC.
ii.The present cost of the project is estimated at Rs 2435.91 crore.
iii.Currently, NHPC has 24 operational power stations with a total installed capacity of 7,071 MW.
iv.The project envisages all-around progress and development of Bihar.
What is hydroelectricity?
It is a generation of power or electricity through potential energy of water. It is an important tool for shifting from fossil to non-fossil fuel for future generations.
Other hydroelectricity project of NHPC on ownership basis:
i.2,000MW Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project (LSHEP) on the Subansiri River, which is on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
ii.800 MW Parbati-II on the Parbati River, in Himachal Pradesh (HP).
About NHPC:
It is a Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and largest organisation for hydropower development in India.
Establishment– 1975
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)– Abhay Kumar Singh
Headquarter– Faridabad, Haryana
Recent Related News:
i.On March 17, 2021, the Administration Council of Jammu & Kashmir(J&K) under the chairship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approved the incorporation of Ratle Hydro-electric Power Corporation, a joint venture company(JVC), to implement 850 MW Ratle Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) on river Chenab in Kishtwar district.
ii.Arunachal Pradesh Government in its budget has allocated the 120 MW (Megawatt) Nafra Hydro-Electric Power to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited.
