The hydropower project in the district of Kinnaur in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is part of a large-scale plan to utilise the hydropower potential of the Satluj river system. The project utilises the energy of the river between the towns of Karcham and Wangtoo and represents an important measure for the security of supply in the north Indian region. It was developed with the aim of supplying renewable energy while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuelled power plants.
Project objectives
- Provision of 1000 MW peak capacity to meet the high demand for electricity in northern India
- Feeding 4463.88 GWh of renewable energy into the power grid each year
- Reduction of CO₂ emissions by avoiding fossil-fuelled power generation
- Promoting sustainable regional development through technical infrastructure and social measures
Technical details
- Type: Run-of-river power plant with small reservoir (area: 588,400 m², power density: 1699.52 W/m²)
- Output: 4 turbine units of 250 MW each = 1000 MW
- Structures: 98 m high concrete dam in Karcham, 17 km long headrace tunnel, underground power station in Wangtoo, 1.3 km long return tunnel
- Construction time: started on 18 November 2005, fully commissioned on 13 September 2011
- Emission reduction: Ø 3,541,917 tCO₂e per year, 35,419,170 tCO₂e in total over 10 years
Economic and social benefits
- Employment: Temporary and permanent jobs in construction, operation and maintenance
- Infrastructure: Construction of a school, a vocational training centre and a hospital with 40 beds
- Access: Improvement of transport infrastructure by upgrading roads and bridges
- Economic development: support for local companies, service providers and suppliers
Global climate impact
This major project makes a substantial contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By providing emission-free energy, it replaces fossil-fuelled power plants in an area with chronic power shortages.
