Prospects of Hydropower in Himahchal Pradesh (India): A Case Study of Shanan Power Project

Abstract

The present study has been conducted on the Shanan project, Joginder Nagar. Natural resources are useful raw materials that we obtain directly from nature at free of cost. They occur naturally, which means that human cannot make natural resource. Instead, we use and modify natural resources in different ways that are useful for us. Western Himalaya is full of natural resources, like water, minerals, forests etc. Apart from others, water can be considered as an important one. It is a renewal source of energy which is used in hydro power projects to make electricity. In electricity generation, Shanan power house is the first hydro-electric power station of India. This power house project designed and created by British Engineer Colonel B.C.Batty with the ruler of Joginder Nagar, Raja Joginder Sen. This power project was given to Punjab in1926 on a 99 year lease, which is finished  in  March 2024. Currently this power project is under the control of Punjab State Electricity Board. The whole revenue of this project goes to Punjab Government. The capacity of this project has been increased to 110MW. It is the cheapest mode of Electricity generation. The cost of per unit is nearly Rs. 0.26 Paisa while cost of generation from thermals is more than Rs. 3 per unit. As per information from Superintending Engineer of Shanan Power project, this plant generates 50 Crore units per annum. As per estimate from the PSPCL at present the cost of the project will not be less than Rs.1600 Crore. Nowadays the project is in very bad condition because Punjab govt. is not maintaining the project properly. HP can run it in a better way and it can also explore the possibilities of tourism on International Level. So it is the time to take up the matter with the HP government as well as with the Indian government.