Government of India and ADB Sign $200 Million Loan for Uttarakhand Climate Resilient Power System Development Project

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th Dec. The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed an agreement for a $200 million loan to improve the power supply in Uttarakhand. The loan will be used to enhance the quality, efficiency, and reliability of the power system in the state.

The loan agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, representing the Government of India, and Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission, representing ADB.

Mukherjee stated that the funding from ADB will strengthen the power system infrastructure and help Uttarakhand achieve its goal of providing 24×7 power to its residents.

Jeong added that the project will improve the power system’s capabilities, allowing for the seamless integration and transmission of renewable energy. It will also upgrade the distribution system to minimize power outages and reduce technical losses.

The project will focus on modernizing the power network infrastructure in Dehradun city. This will involve the installation of underground cables, ring main units, and compact substations.

Additionally, upstream substations and power lines will be installed to meet the increasing electricity demand and improve power distribution reliability in urban and suburban areas.

The project will also empower women self-help groups in rural hilly districts by providing them with access to renewable energy sources and energy-efficient equipment.

ADB will conduct training programs for communities, focusing on energy conservation and business management skills.

Awareness and educational activities will also be conducted in schools to promote employment opportunities in the energy sector. Non-governmental organizations will be involved in implementing and monitoring the 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.

ADB will support the capacity development of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited and the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited by conducting leadership courses and project management programs.

It will also collaborate with the Energy Department to formulate an energy transition roadmap to support Uttarakhand’s low-carbon transition.