Srinagar, Mar 13 (KNO): In past nine years, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an average annual increase of 3.60 percent in electric power purchases while the growth stands at only 2.45 percent.
An official said, “Over the past years from 2016-17 to 2024-25, Jammu and Kashmir has experienced an average annual increase of 3.60 percent in electric power purchases, as per extrapolated data.”
“When considered on a per capita basis, the growth rate stands at 2.45 percent per year, reflecting the region's increasing energy demand. This growth is also in line with the region's population increase, which has been growing at an annual rate of 2.14 percent during the same period,” the official said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
It also said that as of November 2024, the number of electricity connections and consumers in various categories in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 23.65 lakh, compared to 23.45 lakh in March 2024 that indicates a steady increase in the number of people and businesses receiving power supply.
“As power demand increases, it triggers economic growth, drives industrialization, and boosts the development of basic amenities such as healthcare, water supply etc,” the official said.
It also said, “This cumulative progress ultimately results in a better quality of life for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, positioning the region for sustainable growth and modernization while making it a key player in the national energy landscape.”
Pertinently, KNO in previous week reported that Jammu and Kashmir is facing an excessive gap of more than 15 percent between the power requirement and actual power available for its consumers.
The official documents in this regard reads, “The gap between power requirement and actual power available is quite high at about 14-16 percent approximately in J&K.”
The officials said that the issue primarily occurs due to drop in generation of hydel power plants during winters as a result of reduction in flow of water in the snow fed rivers of J&K.
Notably, Jammu and Kashmir till last week of February was relying on more than 85 percent of coal and solar power amid acute deficit of hydro power generation.
Officials of PDD department had claimed that local hydro power generation from the local power plants have reduced by nearly 90 percent.
An official had informed that “At present Jammu and Kashmir is 85-90 percent dependent on coal and solar energy that is being procured from the other states because as of now we don’t have a local power generation.”
“In winters the local hydro power generation of Jammu and Kashmir power plants has reduced by almost 90 percent and in order to cater the requisite power demand, we need to have a base power availability that we procure from outside states. The energy is coal based energy,” the official had said—(KNO)