Running dry

HIMACHAL Pradesh, often dubbed the ‘Power state of India’ due to its hydel resources, is battling a severe electricity crisis, unravelling the fragility of its energy management. With hydropower generation plunging by 90% in some regions, the state’s reliance on external power sources underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms. The root of the problem lies in reduced water flows in rivers feeding the hydel projects. The situation is compounded by ageing infrastructure and a workforce shortage in the electricity board. Power plants like Baner and Gajj are now operating at a fraction of their capacity, creating a dire supply-demand mismatch, especially during the peak winter months. Even the much-touted Larji hydroelectric project struggles to recover from monsoon damages, deepening the crisis.

This predicament exposes deeper fiscal and administrative woes. Over 65% of the state electricity board’s technical posts remain vacant, a testament to years of neglect. Furthermore, the state’s financial predicament — with a debt nearing Rs 90,000 crore — limits its ability to invest in modernising infrastructure. Despite being a power-surplus state in summer, the failure to ensure year-round energy stability highlights the lack of a coherent policy for resource management. The state government has secured a stopgap solution by procuring 500 million units of power at discounted rates from the Centre. However, this measure barely covers half the winter demand, leaving domestic consumers and industries grappling with disruptions.

A sustainable resolution requires investment in resilient infrastructure, recruitment drives for technical staff and a shift towards alternative energy sources like solar and wind. Himachal must also reassess its fiscal priorities, diverting resources from populist subsidies toward long-term energy security. This crisis serves as a wake-up call: without proactive reforms, the state risks progress on its development aspirations.