SHIMLA, May 13 — As temperatures rise and river flows swell, Himachal Pradesh has ramped up hydroelectric power generation to meet growing electricity demand—not just within the state, but across several others seeking to purchase surplus energy.
According to sources in the state Energy Department, daily power generation has reached 500 lakh units, significantly exceeding the state’s internal requirements during the summer months. This surplus allows Himachal to respond to increasing requests for electricity from other states, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.
“Many states have shown interest in buying our surplus power,” said an official familiar with the matter.
“With generation expected to increase further in the coming days, we are well-positioned to meet their demands.”
The period between May and October is the most productive for hydropower in Himachal, driven by glacier melt and consistent water flow in rivers. This natural boost allows the state to sell excess electricity through competitive bidding, especially during peak hours when tariffs reach their highest.
While some of the power will be sold directly to the highest bidders, a portion will also be provided through the banking system. Under this arrangement, Himachal supplies electricity to states like Punjab during low-demand months and receives power back in the winter when its own consumption spikes.
“Hydropower generation is peaking right now, and we expect even clearer, warmer days ahead to drive it further,” the official added.
Amid rising energy sales, the Himachal government has also reaffirmed its commitment to farmers, ensuring that agricultural consumers continue to receive electricity at highly subsidized rates.
“A Rs 4.04 per unit subsidy has been approved, allowing farmers to get power at just Rs 1 per unit,” said a government spokesperson. “The notification has been issued, and any temporary overbilling will be rectified in future bills.”
The spokesperson acknowledged a minor delay in rolling out the subsidy notification, which may have caused some farmers to receive higher bills temporarily.
“They need not worry. The excess amount will be adjusted without any additional burden,” he assured.
With rising temperatures boosting river inflows and demand from neighboring states growing, Himachal Pradesh is poised to make the most of its natural energy advantage—balancing inter-state trade with local support for its agricultural community.
