Himachal Pradesh government announced on Tuesday that the state government is exploring the promotion of hydropower tourism as a means of creating self-employment and job opportunities for the local youth.
The Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that a new policy would be formulated to encourage this initiative, with training provided to power project developers through the Department of Energy.
CM was speaking during a review of various ongoing energy department projects, emphasizing the state government’s commitment to harnessing green energy and its potential for sustainable development. He urged officials to expedite the progress of ongoing power projects, particularly hydroelectric ventures, and mentioned that non-responsive hydro projects would be re-advertised to fully tap the state’s hydropower potential.
CM also instructed the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) to immediately begin construction on the Devi Kothi and Hail Power Projects, which are crucial to the state’s energy infrastructure. Additionally, he reviewed important legal cases such as those involving JSW, Shanan, and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), urging concerned officers to pursue these matters with urgency.
CM highlighted the state’s growing focus on renewable energy, with projects like a 1 MW Green Hydrogen Project underway at Nalagarh in Solan district. He also celebrated the successful commissioning of a 32 MW Solar Power Project in Pekhubela, Una district, completed in a record time of six months. Two additional solar projects are under construction in the region, which are expected to be operational soon.
This comprehensive approach underscores Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to both environmental sustainability and economic development through clean energy and job creation.
