Baglihar feels climate change heat

Srinagar, Feb 22: The stark reality of climate change has become increasingly evident at the Baglihar Dam along the Chenab River in the Ramban district of Chenab Valley.

The prestigious Baglihar hydroelectric project, with an installed capacity of 900 MW, is currently generating a mere 150 MW of power, signifying a decline of 83 percent.

“Climate change and less precipitation are having a direct impact on the power generation from Baglihar," said a senior Power Development Department (PDD) official, noting that both stages of the project were operating significantly below capacity.

The official said that the current generation had dropped to between 120 MW to 150 MW, a fraction of the project’s full potential.

The dramatic reduction in power generation at Baglihar reflects a broader crisis affecting Jammu and Kashmir’s hydropower sector.

A senior PDD official, addressing the gravity of the situation, said, “Reduced water levels from water bodies have led to 80 percent drop in hydropower output. Key projects like Baglihar and Salal have seen their generation halved due to decreased river discharge.”

This decline is part of a larger pattern affecting hydropower generation across Jammu and Kashmir, where power generation has fallen to 606 megawatts against an installed capacity of 3500 MW, marking an unprecedented decline of over 80 percent.

To address mounting power demands, the administration has significantly increased its power purchases.

A senior KPDCL official said, “Currently, to meet the demand of around 3000 MW in J&K, we are purchasing close to 2300 MW, which was not the case during the past few years.”

This dependency has led to substantial financial implications, with the region’s power purchase expenditure reaching Rs 55,254 crore over the past decade.

The situation at Baglihar is particularly concerning given its strategic importance in J&K’s power infrastructure.

As a run-of-the-river project owned by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited, it was designed to be a cornerstone of the region's power independence.

However, the current output levels signal a growing crisis that extends beyond immediate power generation concerns to broader questions about climate change adaptation and infrastructure resilience.

The declining trend in hydropower generation shows no signs of immediate improvement.

Historical data reveals a steady decrease from 5452 million units in 2019-20 to 5199 million units in 2022-23, with the Baglihar project’s reduced output playing a significant role in this decline.

The crisis is further complicated by delays in new power projects, with initiatives like the New Ganderbal Power Project and Lower Kalnai not expected to commence operations before 2027.

As J&K’s power liabilities approach Rs 35,175 crore, the situation at Baglihar serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the region’s power sector.

Experts are increasingly calling for immediate action to enhance local power generation capabilities and accelerate the completion of pending projects to address this growing crisis in the region’s power infrastructure.