The persistent power crisis in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has once again highlighted the region’s structural dependency on externally sourced electricity and its chronic underutilization of internal energy potential. With peak summer temperatures climbing beyond 45°C in several parts of the Jammu division, the power deficit has widened to approximately 700 megawatts. Against a total electricity demand of 2800 MW, the region’s own generation capacity remains restricted to merely 900 MW. Despite the vast hydropower potential in the UT, current output remains far below capacity, making it necessary to procure nearly 500–600 MW daily from the central grid, with the remaining shortfall addressed through rotational curtailments across various districts.
This growing reliance on purchased electricity has contributed to a steep escalation in the power procurement expenditure, which has now touched ₹9000 crore annually. Monthly bills have varied significantly, with figures crossing ₹730 crore in May and projected to rise in June. While the administration has successfully brought down outstanding liabilities from a staggering ₹40,000 crore to around ₹5000 crore, this reduction has not eased the structural pressure on the UT’s power sector. The financial burden continues to weigh heavily on the government’s resource allocation, diverting funds that could otherwise be channelled into long-term infrastructure development. The paradox of low local generation in a resource-rich territory underscores deep-rooted inefficiencies. Projects aimed at harnessing hydropower remain either underfunded, delayed, or entangled in procedural bottlenecks. During winter, when river discharge reduces and energy consumption spikes—especially in the Kashmir division—this gap between supply and demand becomes even more pronounced, exacerbating the region’s energy vulnerability. Seasonal variation in generation further limits the reliability of hydropower as a standalone solution, necessitating a diversified and modern energy strategy. On the ground, the pressure on transmission and distribution infrastructure is visibly growing. Overloaded grids such as those at Barn and Gladni, along with key transmission corridors like Barn-Kishenpur and Hiranagar-Jatwal, are operating beyond their designed capacities. This has resulted in recurring breakdowns, voltage fluctuations, and extended outages. While officials insist that transformer replacements in urban and rural areas are being conducted within 12 to 24 hours, real-time feedback suggests delays, particularly in remote and inaccessible regions. In some cases, replacements take up to three days, impacting essential services and causing hardship for residents during extreme weather conditions. The intensity of this crisis was particularly evident during recent heat waves in Jammu, where overheating infrastructure and transformer failures forced the imposition of unscheduled power cuts. Key load centers such as Barn and Bishnah became bottlenecks under mounting stress, prompting urgent augmentation plans. These reactive measures, though necessary, only address symptoms. Without comprehensive upgrades to the region’s transmission and distribution networks, such strain will continue to disrupt daily life and economic activity during peak demand seasons. Addressing Jammu and Kashmir’s energy deficit requires more than stopgap procurement measures. It demands a strategic transformation in energy planning, generation, and distribution. The UT must prioritize the development and modernization of its hydropower assets, accelerate stalled projects, and create favourable conditions for private and public investment in energy infrastructure. Equally important is the diversification of energy sources, particularly in adopting decentralized solar and hybrid models that can support rural and off-grid communities, thereby reducing stress on central infrastructure. Moreover, demand-side management must become a central component of the energy strategy. Public awareness campaigns promoting energy conservation, widespread implementation of smart metering systems, and incentives for the use of energy-efficient appliances can help reduce peak load demand. Grid resilience must be improved not just in capacity but in responsiveness, with clearly defined timelines and accountability for equipment maintenance and service restoration.
Lastly, the energy needs of Jammu and Kashmir are growing, driven by expanding urbanisation, climate variation, and economic aspirations. The region cannot afford to remain dependent on costly and unpredictable external procurement. A clear, long-term energy roadmap—rooted in sustainability, efficiency, and resilience—is essential. With strategic focus and institutional coordination, Jammu and Kashmir can not only overcome its current challenges but reposition itself as a self-reliant and potentially power-surplus region in the years ahead.