Himachal's mega hydro project to be commissioned this month

Shimla: The 100 MW Sainj Hydroelectric Project being constructed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) in Kullu district would be commissioned partially this month, an official said on Monday.

The Rs 800-crore hydro project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, will generate 322 million units (MU) per annum. The state is expected to earn revenue of Rs 100 crore by selling electricity from it, an HPPCL spokesperson told IANS.

The first unit of the project will start generation by May 20 and the second unit by next month, HPCL Managing Director Devesh Kumar said in a statement.

The mechanical spinning of the first unit of the project was done on April 25, he said. It has installed capacity of 100 MW with two generating units of 50 MW each.

The run-of-the-river project is located on the Sainj river, a tributary of the Beas.

The project comprises a diversion barrage on the river near Niharni village, and an underground powerhouse on the right bank of the river near Suind village.

The project has a 6.36-km-long headrace tunnel of 3.85-metre diameter with two Pelton turbines coupled with generating units of 50 MW each.

After commissioning the project, the HPPCL said, each family affected by the project will be provided 100 units of electricity per month for a period of 10 years.

In addition, one per cent of revenue from power generation would be contributed towards local area development fund during the operation stage.

Himachal Pradesh`s economy is highly dependent on hydroelectricity, horticulture and tourism.

State`s hydroelectricity generation potential is 27,436 MW -- about 25 per cent of India`s total potential in the sector.

However, only 10,351 MW has been harnessed till December 2016, which is 37.73 per cent of the total potential, says the state`s Economic Survey 2016-17.