Srinagar, Dec 08: Amid ongoing power crisis, Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) is all set to sign a 472 MW Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by the end of December-23.

Information was revealed by Union Power Minister R. K Singh to Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha.

The Ministry of Power in a statement said that LG of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha met Union Power and NRE Minister R. K. Singh in New Delhi last evening in the wake of rising power demand in UT, as a result of economic growth and increasing electrification, during the ongoing winter season.

In the meeting Sinha had informed that the current demand of UT of J&K has touched around 2800 MW with a deficit of approximately 1400 MW in the current winter season.

He requested the Union Power Minister for allocating more power to the UT.

In the meeting, Singh informed LG of Jammu and Kashmir that the Ministry of Power has already allocated 1500 MW from the Central pool to meet the winter requirements of J&K.

“Further, 472 MW is also allocated under Shakti policy, for which, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Power department of J&K is proposed to be signed by the end of Dec, 23,” reads the official statement of Ministry of Power.

It further states that an overall, 1972 MW of additional allocation has been made by the Central government to take care of the urgent power requirement of the Union Territory.

The Union Minister directed the officers of the Ministry of Power to ensure adequate allocation of Power to the UT of J&K to meet the rising demand.

He also reviewed various programmes of the Ministry of Power being implemented in the UT, under Central Sector Schemes.(KNO)