Koteshwar Hydro Electric Project in News

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Modi has approved the Revised Cost Estimate-I of 400 MW Koteshwar Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Uttarakhand at an estimated completion cost of Rs.2,717.35 crore.

The project is being implemented by Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) India Limited.

In addition to additional generating capacity of 400 MW of peaking power it will regulate releases from Tehri Reservoir for irrigation and drinking water supply.

The reservoir of Koteshwar HEP will also act as lower reservoir for under construction Tehri PSP (1000 MW).

Background:

The Koteshwar Dam is a gravity dam on the Bhagirathi River, located 22 km (14 mi) downstream of the Tehri Dam in Tehri District, Uttarakhand, India. The dam is 97.5 m (320 ft) tall and 300 m (984 ft) long.

The Project has already been commissioned fully in March, 2012. Only balance works are to be done which are not linked with operation of the Plant but essential for safety and completion of the project.

Koteshwar Hydro-Electric Project (400 MW), located 22 km downstream of Tehri, is an integral part of Tehri Power Complex comprising of Tehri Dam & HPP (1000 MW), Tehri PSP (1000MW) and Koteshwar HEP (400MW) to develop Hydro-electric potential of river Bhagirathi.

It will facilitate the functioning of Tehri Power Complex as a major peaking station in Northern grid as reservoir created by Koteshwar Dam having a live storage capacity of 35.0 MCM will function as lower (balancing) reservoir for Tehri PSP. This project is also regulating water releases from Tehri reservoir for irrigation purpose.

Benefits:

· Peaking Power- 400 MW
· Design Energy-1155MU ( 90% dependable year)
· Relelulation of water releases from Tehri Reservoir for irrigation Purposes
· Koteshwar Reservoir will funtion as the pre requisite lower reservoir for Tehri PSP