Srinagar, Aug 07 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir is home to several operational hydropower plants (HEPs) that play a vital role in the country’s power generation capacity, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shriphad Naik, said on Thursday.
Speaking in Lok Sabha, the minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that as of August 2025, the region boasts a total installed capacity of 3,360 MW from various plants under the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and NHPC.
The key hydropower plants in the region include the Baglihar-I and Baglihar-II plants in Ramban, each with a capacity of 450 MW. Additionally, Dulhasti in Kishtwar contributes 390 MW, while Salal-I & II in Reasi and Udhampur combined provide 690 MW. Other notable plants include Uri-I (480 MW), Uri-II (240 MW), and Sewa-II in Mahska (120 MW).
The Kishanganga plant in Bandipora adds 330 MW, and Lower Jhelum (105 MW) and Upper Sindh-II (105 MW) further strengthen the state's energy capacity, Naik said, adding that these plants significantly contribute to the power grid, ensuring reliable energy for both Jammu and Kashmir and the broader national network.
The Power Ministry confirmed that all hydropower plants in the region, including those mentioned above, have received the necessary environmental clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) before construction.
These clearances ensure that each project adheres to strict environmental guidelines, minimising adverse impacts on the surrounding ecosystems.
To further safeguard the environment, sustainability and ecological impact studies are regularly conducted for these plants, the minister said. "The studies help ensure that the power generation processes are in harmony with the local ecological balance. However, it is important to note that hydropower projects located at elevations above 1,500 meters and in the upper reaches of the Himalayan region, such as those in Jammu and Kashmir, have been identified as vulnerable due to their susceptibility to geological or climatic disruptions."
In response to the potential risks associated with these plants, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has identified certain hydropower projects in the region as vulnerable, Nail said, adding that these projects are now mandated to implement Early Warning Systems (EWS) to detect and mitigate risks.
The CEA has issued an advisory to developers of these plants, urging them to install EWS to ensure the safety of both the local population and the infrastructure, especially in the event of extreme weather events or natural disasters—(KNO)