Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Power addressed concerns regarding electricity supply in Ladakh, particularly during winter. While existing regulations mandate 24x7 power, exceptions are possible. The government supports Ladakh through schemes like DDUGJY, IPDS, and RDSS to improve power supply. Several transmission line projects are underway to connect remote areas to the national grid, with completion expected by October 2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
Electricity Supply Regulations:
* Rule 10 of the Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020, mandates 24x7 power supply, with potential exceptions specified by the Commission.
* The Government of India supports Ladakh through DDUGJY, IPDS, and RDSS to enhance power supply quality and reliability.
* Nubra, Zanskar, and Changthang are currently electrified off-grid via small hydro, solar PV, and diesel generators.
Transmission Line Projects:
* 220 kV Nubra Zanskar transmission line and 66 kV lines from Himya to Nyoma and Kharu to Durbuk are under construction to provide grid connectivity.
* RDSS has sanctioned Rs. 687 Cr, including Rs 567 Cr for infrastructure in the Changthang Region.
* The 220 kV Srinagar-Leh transmission line (335 KM) was completed and commissioned in 2019.
* The following projects are underway to further connect border areas with the national grid, expected to be completed by October 2026:
* 220 kV Phyang-Disket Nubra transmission line: 90 of 265 towers erected, 224 foundations ready, 17.67 KM stringing completed.
* 220 kV Drass-Padum Zanskar transmission Line: 339 of 675 towers erected, 577 foundations ready, 27.77 KM stringing completed.
Renewable Energy Storage Projects:
* Ladakh is developing Renewable Energy Storage Projects:
* 25 MW AC, 50 MWp Solar Power Plant with 40 MWh BESS at Taru with SECI (work awarded, in progress).
* 7 MW Solar Project with 9 MWh BESS at Stakna Hydel Project site (bid in process on RESCO model).
* 1.5 MW AC, 4.5 MW DC Solar Power project with 12 MWh BESS site in Nubra on RESCO Model.
* 6 MW AC, with 12 MWh BESS Solar Power project in Zanskar on RESCO Model.
Energy Audits:
* Carbon-neutral energy audits have not been conducted for Government Buildings and Defence establishments in Ladakh.
Impact Analysis:
UT of Ladakh:
Impact: Benefits from government schemes (DDUGJY, IPDS, RDSS) and infrastructure projects aimed at improving electricity supply and grid connectivity.
Action Required: Continue to report progress on transmission line projects and renewable energy storage projects.
Electricity Distribution Licensees:
Impact: Subject to the Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020, requiring 24x7 power supply unless otherwise specified by the Commission.
Action Required: Adhere to the 24x7 power supply mandate and any specific directives from the Commission.
Consumers in Ladakh:
Impact: Aim to receive quality and reliable power, with improved grid connectivity expected to enhance supply during winter months.
Action Required: N/A
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI):
Impact: Involved in the development of a 25 MW AC, 50 MWp Solar Power Plant with 40 MWh BESS at Taru.
Action Required: Continue work on the Taru solar power plant project.
Key Entities Referenced
Solar Energy Corporation of India SECI: An entity partnering with UT of Ladakh in development of Renewable Energy Storage Projects in the UT.
Electricity Rights of Consumers Rules, 2020: A set of rules ensuring 24x7 power supply to consumers, with some exceptions allowed by the Commission.
Ladakh: Union Territory of Ladakh, focus of the electricity supply and renewable energy projects.
Ministry of Power: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for power sector.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana DDUGJY: Indian government scheme to support rural electrification.
Integrated Power Development Scheme IPDS: Indian government scheme aimed at improving power infrastructure in urban areas.
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS: Current Indian government scheme supporting quality and reliable power supply.
Srinagar Leh Transmission line: 220 kV electricity transmission line connecting Srinagar and Leh, part of the effort to integrate Ladakh with the National Electricity Grid. Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1857
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
UNINTERRUPTED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN VILLAGES OF LADAKH
1857. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether all villages in the Union Territory of Ladakh have access to 24x7
electricity during winter months when solar output drops significantly;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the timeline by which uninterrupted
electricity supply in remote villages of Ladakh would be ensured and the steps
being taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) the details of development made regarding the 220 kilo-volt Srinagar-Leh
electricity line project to connect the border areas of Ladakh with the National
Electricity Grid and its timeline for completion;
(d) whether any partnership with public sector or private energy companies
is being explored for next-generation energy storage in Ladakh and if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) whether carbon-neutral energy audits have been conducted for
Government buildings and defence establishments in the region and if so, the
details thereof?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) & (b) : As per Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020,
the distribution licensee shall supply 24x7 power to all consumers. However,
the Commission may specify lower hours of supply for some categories of
consumers. The Rules are applicable for all States and UTs.
Government of India has supported the UT of Ladakh under the scheme of
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power
Development Scheme (IPDS) and is currently supporting under Revamped
Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), to help it achieve the objective of providing
quality and reliable supply of power to all households.
……….2.- 2 -
As reported by the UT of Ladakh, Nubra, Zanskar and Changthang regions
are presently electrified through off-grid mode by small Hydro Electric projects,
solar PV Plants, Diesel generators. In order to provide grid connectivity to these
areas, 220 kV Nubra & Zanskar transmission line and 66 kV line from Himya to
Nyoma and from Kharu to Durbuk is under construction. Under RDSS, works
amounting to Rs. 687 Cr have been sanctioned which include infrastructure
works worth Rs 567 Cr for providing grid connectivity to Changthang Region.
The works once executed would help in improving the quality and reliability of
supply of power in the UT.
(c) : As per information received from the UT, 335 KM, 220 kV Srinagar- Leh
Transmission line is already completed and commissioned in 2019. In order to
further connect border areas with the national grid, following works are under
progress:
i. 220 kV Phyang-Disket (Nubra) transmission line: Out of 265 total towers,
90 towers have been erected and 224 tower foundations are ready. 17.67
KM stringing completed.
ii. 220 kV Drass-Padum (Zanskar) transmission Line: Out of 675 total towers,
339 towers have been erected and 577 tower foundations are ready. 27.77
KM stringing completed.
Above projects are expected to be completed by October 2026.
(d) : UT of Ladakh has reported following projects for development of
Renewable Energy/ Storage Projects in the UT:
Development of 25 MW AC, 50 MWp Solar Power Plant with 40 MWh
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Taru with Solar Energy
Corporation of India (SECI). The work has been awarded and is under
progress.
7 MW Solar Project with 9 MWh BESS at Stakna Hydel Project site has
been identified and bid is under process on RESCO model.
1.5 MW (AC), 4.5 MW DC Solar Power project with 12 MWh BESS site in
Nubra and 6 MW AC, with 12 MWh BESS Solar Power project in Zanskar
on RESCO Model.
(e) : Carbon-Neutral Energy Audits have not been conducted for Government
Buildings and Defence establishments in the UT of Ladakh.
************