Hydro-power projects are back in focus in India as the country is setting a target of boosting its renewable energy production to 175 gigawatts by 2022, and 450 gigawatts by 2030.
The effort of reducing its dependence on non-renewable energies makes India the home to many large hydroelectric power plants. In terms of installed capacity, India ranks 5th in the world and is the 7th largest producer of hydroelectric power.
Tehri Hydro-power Plant
Tehri Dam has the largest capacity of hydroelectricity production.Built on the Bhagirathi river, the Tehri Dam is the biggest hydroelectric power plant project in terms of installed capacity in the country. The dam is 855 ft high and 1,886 ft wide, making it the 8th tallest dam in the world and 2nd tallest in Asia.
It was commissioned in 2006, with a total project cost of Rs 1650 crore. The power plant has an installed capacity of generating 2,400 megawatts of hydroelectricity.
Koyna Hydro-power Project
Koyna hydroelectric power project is the largest in India. The Koyna hydroelectric power project is the largest in India, with a total installed capacity of generating 1,960 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The power plant uses the stored water of the Koyna dam.
The project consists of four stages of power generation, where all the generators are located in the underground powerhouses excavated deep inside the mountains of the Western Ghats.
Srisailam Hydro-power Plant
This hydroelectric power plant is housed at the Srisailam Dam, which is constructed across the Krishna river, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. With the capacity of generating 1670 megawatts of electricity, this is the 2nd largest working hydroelectric power station in India.
Nathpa Jhakri Hydro-power Station
Nathpa Jhakri is the largest hydropower station built on the Sutlej river, in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. It has the capacity of producing about 1,500 megawatts of hydro-electricity.
The power station is situated underground of the Nathpa Jhakri dam. The construction of the entire project was started in 1993, and completed in 2004 with a cost of Rs 8700 crore.
Sardar Sarovar Hydro-power Plant
Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest dams in India. Built on the Narmada river, this Sardar Sarovar hydroelectric power plant is situated. The dam is one of the largest dams ever built in India, thus it’s also called – The Lifeline Of Gujarat.
The dam’s main power plant house has six 200 megawatts of pump turbines that generate electricity. The power plant has a total installed capacity of generating 1,450 megawatts of hydro-powered electricity.
Bhakra Hydro-power Plant
Bhakra Nangal Dam is the third largest reservoir in India. It houses a hydro-power plant that has an installed capacity of generating 1,325 megawatts of hydro-powered electricity. It’s located at the Bhakra village in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.
The construction of the dam began in 1948 and came into being in 1963. It is built on the Sutlej river. The total project cost of the dam is reported to be around Rs 245.28 crore.
Sharavathi Hydro Power Plant
Sharavathi Hydro Power Plant was commissioned in 1964, in Karnataka. This plant has an approved and installed capacity of generating 1,035 megawatts of hydro-powered electricity. The power plant was built on the Sharavathi river, and it’s now operational. The hydropower plant houses a total number of 10 pump turbines, with a capacity of 103.4 megawatts per turbine.
Indira Sagar Hydro Power Station
The Indira Sagar dam hydro-power station is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The dam is built on the Narmada river. The project was started in 1984 and came into being in 2005.
This power station has an installed capacity of producing 1,000 megawatts of hydro electricity. It is a multi-purpose dam and was built as a joint venture between Madhya Pradesh irrigation and National Hydro-electric Power Corporation.
Pandoh Hydro Power House
Located in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, the multi-purpose Pandoh dam was built on the Beas river. The stored water of the dam is used for power generation at the Dehar Power House before discharging.
The powerhouses have an installed capacity of producing 990 megawatts of hydro-powered electricity. The project was commissioned in 1977, and it’s currently in active operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Largest Capacity Hydropower Plant In India?
The Koyna hydroelectric power project is the largest in India, with a total installed capacity of generating 1,960 megawatts of hydroelectricity. The power plant utilizes the stored water in the Koyna dam, which is built on the Koyna river.
How many hydropower plants are there in India?
According to a recent report, India houses almost 100 hydropower plants. Each has an installed capacity above 25 megawatts. In 2019, India positioned itself at the fifth rank globally for its huge potential of hydropower capacity, surpassing 50 gigawatts.
Which is the first hydropower plant in India?
Located at the foothills of Arya Tea Estate, the Sidrapong Hydroelectric power plant is the oldest and the first hydropower plant ever built in India. The power plant was opened on the 10th November 1897, with its original capacity of 65 Kilowatts production. Later the installed capacity was increased to a total of 100 Kilowatts in 1916.
Which is the largest & Biggest hydropower plant in India?
The Koyna Hydro-electric Project is the largest and biggest hydro-power plant in India. The power plant is based on the Koyna dam, which is one of the biggest dams of Maharashtra state in India. This power plant has the capacity of generating 1,960 megawatts of electricity.
What is the Future of Hydropower in India?
Unlike diesel power plants or thermal power plants which require diesel or coal to run, hydropower plants require only water. India is blessed with a multitude of rivers that flow throughout the year, giving the country the potential to generate a lot of clean energy to meet the ever-growing demand.
This will help India reduce its dependence on non-renewable energy. The country is already committed to having 40 percent of its installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources within 2030. It’s also setting a target of boosting its renewable energy production to 175 Gigawatt by 2022, and 450 Gigawatt by 2030.
Images are sourced from – environmentbuddy.com, wikimedia.org, mysterioushimachal.com, patrika.com
