The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a $200 million loan to enhance the quality, efficiency, and reliability of the power supply in Uttarakhand, India. This project will assist Uttarakhand in realising its objective of supplying its citizens with round-the-clock power and making the switch to sustainable energy. The rehabilitation, enhancement, and modernisation of power facilities will play a crucial role in enhancing lives and fostering sustained economic growth in the state. With the introduction of an innovative and climate-resilient underground cable system that consists of 354 ring main units, 99 compact substations, and 537 km of subterranean cables, the project aims to upgrade the power network infrastructure of Dehradun city.
Furthermore, the project will bolster the existing power system by incorporating upstream substations and their corresponding power lines. This will address the growing demand for electricity, decrease network congestion, and enhance the reliability of power distribution in urban and suburban regions. The initiative aims to strengthen self-help groups of women in remote hilly regions by granting them access to sustainable energy options and energy-efficient tools, thereby improving their overall quality of life. The Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific Fund from Japan, funded through ADB by the Government of Japan, is set to contribute a $2 million grant to aid the project’s efforts in supporting livelihood improvement, training initiatives, and awareness campaigns.
By offering project management courses and leadership training, ADB will assist in the capacity building of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited and the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited, enabling them to construct climate-resilient power sector projects. It will also work with the energy department to support Uttarakhand’s low-carbon transition by creating a roadmap to energy transition.
