BBMB eyes private investment for hydel, solar power projects

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is planning to outsource micro-hydel projects based on its water resources to private sector players.

Sanjeev Gautam, AAP leader from Nangal who spearheaded the dharna against the BBMB recently, said the Punjab Government would oppose any such outsourcing to private players. These projects required small investment and the state would finance them, he added.

The BBMB has reportedly planned a micro-hydel project (1.79 MW) at the Nangal Dam. It is slated to be outsourced to a private party. Technical bidding for the project has been completed and the tenders for the project’s execution are expected to be floated soon, sources maintain.

The project is to be developed on the two plugged gates of the Nangal Dam. A penstock would be installed at the plugged gates to harness hydropower. About 500 cusec water is released from the Nangal Dam to maintain environmental flow of the Sutlej.

Another 1 MW project has been planned between Ganguwal and Nakkian hydel projects on the Bhakra Main Line (BML) canal. That project will also be outsourced to private players. Four floating hydro-kinetic turbines of 250 KV each will be installed on the said stretch of the BML canal to generate 1 MW power. Sources said the tenders for the project had been floated and the work would be outsourced to a private party.

The board also plans to set up solar power projects at its colonies in Nangal, Talwara and Chandigarh. The process for installing 4.7 MW roof-mounted solar power projects in Nangal and Talwara townships has already started. It is likely to be completed by the end of June.

It also aims to harness 16 MW solar power via ground-mounted projects set up on vacant land available with it. Sources said the project was also likely to be outsourced to private parties. The private players would invest in the project and the BBMB would buy back power from them as per rates fixed after negotiations.

BBMB engineers had also mooted the idea of harnessing more power by installing small hydel projects on the existing dams and canals. The projects conceived by the board’s engineers are also proposed to be outsourced to private players for investment.

However, with the Punjab Government demanding the reconstitution of the BBMB and asserting that it’s 60 per cent owner of the organisation may cast shadow over the board’s decision to outsource micro hydel projects to private players.

Punjab