Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Monday a comprehensive strategy to deliver uninterrupted, affordable, and high-quality power across the Union Territory by 2027-28. Responding to BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah, who oversees the power portfolio, detailed a multi-pronged plan encompassing generation projects, transmission upgrades, and renewable energy integration.

The blueprint includes modernizing the transmission and distribution network under schemes like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB). Major hydro projects—Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Ratle—are set to add over 3,000 MW by 2027, while long-term plans feature 4,563 MW from projects like Sawalkote (1,856 MW) and Kirthai-II (930 MW) within a decade. To balance the energy mix, J&K is enhancing hydro, thermal, and solar capacities, supported by Power Purchase Agreements and a 10-year resource adequacy plan crafted with the Centre.

Transmission enhancements aim to boost capacity by 2,406 MVA in Jammu and 2,500 MVA in Kashmir, alongside grid station upgrades. Abdullah highlighted solar potential under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, noting that smart metering—completed on 95 feeders—has already eliminated power cuts in low-loss areas. However, he acknowledged stalled progress on a coal block in Odisha, allocated to JKSPDC and NTPC in 2013. After NTPC surrendered its 266 MT share in 2018 due to environmental and local hurdles, J&K’s plea for an alternative block was rejected in 2019.

Abdullah also detailed an MoU with NHPC for three hydro projects, ensuring J&K 12% free power and local development funds. This ambitious roadmap signals a transformative push to end J&K’s power woes, blending infrastructure leaps with sustainable energy goals.