State government decides to transfer Small Hydro Power Projects

04 Jul 2023 CW Team

In a decision made by the state government, four small hydro power projects currently under the jurisdiction of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEBL) will be transferred to Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL). These projects, namely SAI Kothi-1 (15 MW), Sai Kothi-2 (18 MW), Devi Kothi (16 MW), and Hail (18 MW) located in Chamba district, will undergo the transfer process. The government has requested the Managing Director of HPSEBL to prepare the necessary details and procedures for the smooth transfer of these projects.

However, the employees' union of HPSEBL opposes this decision and has appealed to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu to reconsider and withdraw the move. HL Verma, the secretary of HPSEBL Employee Union, expressed concerns regarding potential delays in the commencement of construction, as well as issues related to service conditions for the HPSEBL staff that will be transferred to HPPCL along with these projects.

Verma emphasised that all the projects, which are currently being funded by foreign sources, have reached an advanced stage of execution. He claimed that the necessary clearances from the Foreign Currency Account (FCA) were in their final stages, and the land acquisition process was also well underway. Verma argued that transferring these projects to HPPCL at this crucial stage would result in a clear violation of loan agreements.

Additionally, Verma pointed out that since the electricity board had signed the loan agreements and obtained FCA clearances, the HPPCL would need to transfer the FCA clearances under its name, causing further delays in the projects. He further warned that this decision would adversely affect the HPSEBL staff involved in the transfer, citing previous instances where staff members faced service-related issues after being shifted to HPPCL.

Equipment

09 Jan 2026

BKT Partners All Teams in India’s Women’s T20 League

Balkrishna Industries (BKT), a global leader in the off-highway tyre market, announced its association as the Official Tyre Partner for all five teams competing in India’s premier women’s T20 championship – Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz – for the upcoming season. This move reinforces BKT’s commitment to using sport as a platform for inclusion, opportunity, and long-term development.These partnerships reflect BKT’s belief in the transformative power of sport, particularly in advancing women’s participation and creating..

Rajesh Power Secures 65 MW BESS Project in Gujarat

Rajesh Power Services has recently secured a 65 MW / 130 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Gujarat, marking its entry into utility-scale energy storage. The company received a Letter of Intent from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam for the project, which will be developed at Virpore under a tariff-based competitive bidding mechanism supported by Viability Gap Funding through the Power System Development Fund.The project is expected to be executed within 18 months from the signing of the Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement. With the ability to supply 65 MW of power for..

ONGC Forms JV with MOL for Ethane Shipping Operations

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) has recently entered the ethane shipping segment through joint venture agreements with M/s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines), Japan. The agreements involve equity participation in two joint venture entities—Bharat Ethane One IFSC Private Limited and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Private Limited—registered at GIFT City, Gandhinagar.Under the arrangement, ONGC will subscribe to 2,00,000 equity shares of Rs 100 each in both entities, resulting in a 50 per cent equity holding in each joint venture, with the remaining stake ..