The Hindu Business Line : India to wheel in power from abroad

India is planning to jointly develop power projects totalling 29,662 MW in its immediate neighbourhood, with the idea of wheeling back to the country the bulk of generated power from these projects. Over 15 projects, mostly hydroelectric, are at various stages of discussion for being set up in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Afghanistan.

Nepal alone accounts for over 20,000 MW of the capacity being considered at present. While India has played a role in developing four mini hydel projects in Nepal, the scale of co-operation could go up several fold with three major hydro projects — the 10,800-MW Karnali, the 5,600-MW Pancheshwar and the 3,300-MW Sapta Koshi Multipurpose Projects on the anvil. Discussions on these projects have progressed considerably and these would be defined as "mutual interest projects," Government officials told Business Line.

Besides, the possibility of development of Upper Karnali project (300 MW) in Nepal by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) as an independent power producer under that country's Hydro Power Policy is also under consideration, officials said.

Also, the development of Burhi Gandaki HE Project (600 MW) in Nepal with Indian assistance is being explored, for which the Ministry of Water Resources proposes to rope in Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). The seventh meeting of India-Nepal Joint Team of Experts, held in March at Kathmandu, took stock of the progress in various field activities and other works relating to these projects.

In Bhutan, three new major hydro projects, namely the 1,080-MW Punatsangchhu-I, the 1,000-MW Punatsangchhu-II and the 600-MW Mengdechu hydro electric projects have been identified for joint development and the survey and investigation work has been initiated for them.

DPRs have also been prepared for the Wangchu Reservoir Scheme (900 MW), Bunakha (180 MW) and the Sankosh hydro project (4,060 MW). Two mini-hydel projects are already in operation in the country through Indian assistance, while the 1,020-MW Tala project is in advanced stages of construction.

In the case of Myanmar, which has a hydro potential of the order of about 1,00,000 MW, the design and engineering of the Sedawyagi hydroelectric project (25 MW) was undertaken earlier by India. The Tamanthi hydroelectric project (1,200 MW) has now been identified as a mutual benefit project between India and Myanmar and preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Report had been entrusted to NHPC, which submitted it in April 2005. The Government of Myanmar accepted the report in June that year.

In the case of Afghanistan, Indian agencies have rendered assistance for development of projects, including the Kajakai Power Project, Lower Helmand Valley Development Project and the Khanabad Hydro-electric Project. India is assisting the Afghan Government for the completion of the Salma dam multipurpose project (42 MW) through WAPCOS.