Himachal likely to get Rs 3,184 cr World Bank fund for power sector :

1. The Centre has recommended a funding of Rs 3,184 crore through the World Bank for the Himachal Hydropower and Renewable Power Sector Development Project.

2. The programme was accepted by the Department of Economic Affairs, (DEA) today at the 104th meeting of its screening committee and recommended to the World Bank for financing. This financing would come in the pattern of 90 per cent grant and 10 per cent loan to Himachal Pradesh.

3. The project aimed at holistic development of the power sector through investment in all three segments of power sector generation, transmission and distribution.

4. On generation part, a funding of Rs 1,600 crore would come to the ongoing Shongtong Karchham HEP 450 MW which would generate energy at a very competitive rate of Rs 6.3 crore per MW against the normal average cost of Rs 10 crore per MW.

5. Project once commissioned would earn a revenue of Rs 500 crore per annum. This is the biggest project taken up by state government without the participation of any public sector undertaking.

6. Transmission part funding amounting to Rs 534.72 crore would come for strengthening extra high voltage transmission (EHV) network in the state. The improved transference of power within the state would contribute to uninterrupted quality of power for consumers.

7. The distribution system would get a funding of Rs 937 crore and be used towards automation and strengthening of distribution network in 13 towns, Solan, Baddi, Nalagarh, Nahan, Poanta Sahib, Mandi, Sundernagar, Bilaspur, Kullu, Manali, Una, Parwanoo and Hamirpur.

8. In total 2.60 lakh consumers will benefit. Smart meters, GIS mapping of assets, automatic fault detection systems, underground cabling work, etc would be undertaken for improving the quality and reliability of power, reduction of losses and better consumer satisfaction.