Shimla, Mar 29 (IANS): More than 7,000 MW of power has been tapped by hydro projects in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said here Thursday.

Till date 7,923 MW of hydropower has been harnessed by public and private sector companies. The state is estimated to earn Rs.1,000 crore this year by selling power, Dhumal said in the assembly.

He said hydro projects with a combined generation capacity of 12,798 MW are in various stages of commissioning.

"All these projects are likely to be commissioned by end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2017-22). On completion, the state will get power of 16,270 million units every year worth Rs.4,393 crore (as per current power rates) as royalty," Dhumal, who holds power portfolio, said.

In May, the state government will add more than 900 MW with the commissioning of Parvati III, Malana II, Budhil, Chamera III and some other small projects.

Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources, with five major rivers flowing from the western Himalayas. It has a power potential of about 23,000 MW.

In his budget speech, Dhumal said to link the inter-state transmission corridor for the Ravi, Beas, lower Satluj and Yamuna basins, the government has succeeded in securing a loan of Rs.1,600 crore from the Asian Development Bank for the HP Power Transmission Corporation Ltd.