NHPC to add 25,000 mw capacity in 20 years

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which has managed to produce just 4,145 mw from 11 projects since it was set up in 1975, is planning to add over 25,000 mw of hydro generation capacity over the next 20 years.

The company has lined up aggressive plans to harness the hydro potential of north and north-eastern states such as West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.

NHPC is currently in the process of constructing 13 projects which will add about 5,652 mw. Of this, most projects are likely to be commissioned during 2007-12, the 11th Plan period.

These include the 510 mw Teesta-V project in Sikkim, Parbathi II and III (800 mw and 520 mw) in Himachal, Teesta Lower Dam III and IV (132 and 160 mw) in Sikkim and West Bengal, respectively, Subansiri Lower 2000 mw project in Arunachal Pradesh, Uri II in Jammu & Kashmir (240 mw) and a 520 mw project at Omkeshwar in Madhya Pradesh, said NHPC officials.

Apart from these, NHPC is also constructing three projects in Jammu and Kashmir, with a total capacity of 450 mw.

At present, projects for 5,531 mw of capacity are pending approval from the government, including the 3,000 mw Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh and the 1,000 mw Pakal Dul project in Jammu and Kashmir. Four medium-size projects, of about 200 mw to 530 mw, identified in Uttarakhand, were also pending approval, they said.

NHPC has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to add about 7,750 mw of power in the next five to 10 years.

The projects identified are mainly in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir and include a 2,000 mw project, the 16,000 mw Subansiri project and the Tawang I and II (750 mw each) projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

A DPR has also been prepared for the 1,020 mw Bursar project in Jammu and Kashmir.

The officials said feasibility studies were on for 7,000 mw-plus projects, mainly in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.

As part of the policy to extend the shelf life of various hydroelectric projects across the country, NHPC is also undertaking renovation, modernisation and upgradation of existing dams. The expenditure for per megawatt is about Rs 1-2 crore, depending on the size of the project.

During the 11th Plan period, about Rs 4,000 crore would be spent on increasing the lifespan of about 67 projects, explained the officials.

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NHPC's Mega Expansion Plans

Current Capacity - 4, 145 mw

projects, to be commissioned by 2012

the 3,000 mw Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh and 1,000 mw Pakal Dul project in Jammu and Kashmir.

DPR (detailed project report) ready for another 7750 mw

Feasibility studies on for over 7,000 mw