Jammu and Kashmir has set a target of increasing its operational hydropower generation capacity to 10,969.65 MW by December 2035, more than three times its current installed capacity of 3,540.15 MW.
The roadmap was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo with officials assessing the progress and timelines of major hydropower projects across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Power; Commissioner Secretary, Law; Secretary, Revenue; Managing Director, J&K Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL); concerned Deputy Commissioners; heads of power projects; representatives from NHPC; and senior officers from the Power Development Department.
The review focused on the physical and financial progress of projects under execution, construction and commissioning schedules, and milestones required to ensure the timely addition of generation capacity over the coming decade.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for sustained inter-departmental coordination, rigorous project monitoring and timely resolution of bottlenecks to maintain the pace of execution and unlock J&K’s hydropower potential.
Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar said Jammu and Kashmir has an identified hydropower potential of 14,635 MW, of which around 24.21 percent has so far been harnessed through UT, Central Sector and Independent Power Producer projects.
He said the Chenab Basin accounts for the largest share of the identified potential at 11,283 MW, followed by the Jhelum Basin with 3,084 MW and the Ravi Basin with 500 MW.
The government has adopted a phased capacity-addition strategy to tap the identified potential and move J&K towards greater energy self-reliance and, eventually, a power surplus.
JKPCL Managing Director Rahul Yadav said the first major additions under the roadmap are expected by the end of 2026 through the commissioning of the 1,000 MW PakalDul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP and 12 MW Karnah HEP.
The commissioning of the 37.5 MW Parnai HEP is scheduled by December 2027, taking the cumulative installed capacity to 5,213.65 MW, according to the roadmap.
In 2028, another 1,390 MW is targeted through the 540 MW Kwar HEP and 850 MW Ratle HEP, taking the cumulative capacity to 6,630.65 MW.
By December 2029, a further 500 MW is expected from Central Sector projects, including the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II and 240 MW Uri-I Stage-II, taking the total generation capacity to 7,103.65 MW.
The 2031-35 phase will include the progressive commissioning of major projects in the pipeline, including the 820 MW Kirthai-II, 390 MW Kirthai-I and 1,856 MW Sawalkote HEP.
With these additions, J&K is projected to reach an installed hydropower capacity of 10,969.65 MW by December 2035.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of projects currently under construction. The Chief Secretary sought close monitoring of construction milestones and coordinated action to resolve issues affecting execution.
The 1,000 MW PakalDul HEP has achieved 85 percent physical progress and 77.54 percent financial progress. Filling of its Concrete Face Rock-Fill Dam has reached 89 percent, while testing and commissioning of units 3 and 4 is scheduled for March 2027, followed by units 1 and 2 in May and June 2027.
The 624 MW Kiru HEP has recorded 88.75 percent physical progress and 73.21 percent financial expenditure. Dam concreting up to the deck slab is 98.99 percent complete, with final testing and commissioning targeted for March 2027.
The 540 MW Kwar HEP has achieved 37.82 percent physical and 42.11 percent financial progress. Excavation of its power house cavern is 99.6 percent complete, with commissioning scheduled for March 2028.
The 850 MW Ratle HEP has recorded 31.53 percent physical progress, while excavation of its underground power house cavern has been completed. Full commissioning is envisaged by November 2028 under the revised contractual milestones.
Among UT-sector projects, the 12 MW Karnah HEP has reached 93 percent completion and is on track for wet commissioning. The 37.5 MW Parnai HEP has achieved 72.5 percent physical progress, with 98 percent excavation of its Head Race Tunnel completed.
The government expects the hydropower expansion to strengthen the energy base for industry, infrastructure, tourism, services and emerging economic activities, while reducing dependence on external power.
The roadmap is intended to move Jammu and Kashmir towards greater energy security and self-reliance, with hydropower positioned as a key component of its long-term economic development.
