ADB to extend USD 2000 million loan to strengthen power supply infrastructure in Dehradun
Dec 13, 2023
New Delhi [India], December 13 : The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank have signed an agreement to avail a 200 million-dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the quality, efficiency, and reliability of power supply in the state of Uttarakhand.
The signatories to the loan agreement for the Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge of ADB's India Resident Mission, for ADB.
"The ADB funding for the project will strengthen power system infrastructure and help Uttarakhand achieve its goal of providing 24x7 power to its residents," said Mukherjee after signing the loan agreement.
"The project will enhance the power system network's capabilities, facilitating the seamless integration and transmission of renewable energy to load centres. Simultaneously, it involves upgrading the distribution system to minimize power outages and reduce technical losses," said Jeong.
As per a government release, the project will modernize Dehradun city's power network infrastructure by introducing an advanced and climate-resilient underground cable system comprising 537 km of subterranean cables, 354 ring main units, and 99 compact substations.
Additionally, it will enhance the current power system by installing upstream substations and their associated power lines, which will help meet increasing electricity demand, reduce network congestion, and improve power distribution reliability in urban and suburban areas, the release further stated.
The project will empower women self-help groups in rural hilly districts, providing them with access to renewable energy sources and energy-efficient equipment to enhance their livelihoods, it said.
The release further mentioned that ADB will facilitate training programs for communities, focusing on energy conservation and business management skills, while also conducting awareness and educational activities in schools to promote opportunities for employment in the energy sector.
The project will involve nongovernmental organisations in implementing and monitoring livelihood activities.
The Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Japan through ADB, will provide a $2 million grant to support livelihood enhancement, training, and awareness-raising activities of the project, it added.
ADB will support the capacity development of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited by conducting leadership courses and project management programs to develop climate-resilient power sector projects.
It will also collaborate with the Energy Department to formulate an energy transition road map to support Uttarakhand's low-carbon transition, the release added.
