The central government during the past five years has provided Rs 45.22 crore to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as collective financial assistance for small and mini hydropower projects.
As per the data provided by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, J&K received 20.31 crore, with the highest allocation of 9.50 crore in 2021-22, while Ladakh secured 24.91 crore, receiving 8.80 crore in 2021-22 as its highest annual funding.
The ministry said that these funds were allocated to support the development of hydropower projects with a capacity of less than 25 MW to enhance local energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“Despite this financial assistance, the central government clarified that no new small hydropower scheme is currently available to provide further funding for such projects. However, J&K and Ladakh have been among the highest recipients of past funding, highlighting the region’s potential for renewable energy expansion through hydropower,” it said.
“Small hydropower projects are considered crucial for the remote and hilly regions of J&K and Ladakh, where they provide a stable and sustainable energy source for local communities,” the government said, adding that the focus on hydro energy aligns with the government’s broader push toward clean energy and self-reliance in power generation—(KNO)
