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Himachal Pradesh Cracks Down on Delayed Hydro Projects, Pushes for Renewable Energy Acceleration

In a strategic move to revive the energy sector, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Energy Department to cancel allotments of long-stalled hydro power projects. During a high-level review meeting, he emphasized that delayed hydro projects are causing significant losses to the state exchequer and reaffirmed hydropower’s role as the backbone of the state’s economy.

The government has decided to reclaim three key hydro projects from SJVN Ltd—382 MW Sunni, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh—due to persistent delays. Further, CM Sukhu made it clear that future projects like Kishau and Renuka dams will not proceed without financial settlements from neighboring states related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). BBMB has also identified massive pump storage potential of over 13,000 MW on Bhakra and Kol dams, which the state intends to lead.

On the renewable front, the Chief Minister ordered completion of the Kaza solar power project by August 2025 and fast-tracking of a 1 MW solar-battery project at Dhanwas by December 2025. To boost transmission infrastructure, HPSEBL and HPPTCL will commission 15 new substations in line with regulatory guidance. The push reflects Himachal’s commitment to ensuring energy security and sustainable development.