SJVNL upgrades Dhaula Sidh hydropower project in Himachal

Shimla, Dec 20 : Hydropower company Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) has upgraded the power-generation capacity of one of its projects under execution in Himachal Pradesh, an official said here Sunday.

"We have decided to upgrade the power-generation capacity of the Dhaula Sidh hydropower project in Hamirpur district. Now, its generation capacity would be increased to 66 MW from 40 MW. This will, of course, help make the project more economically viable," SJVNL Deputy General Manager V.K. Verma told IANS.

"During pre-construction studies, SJVNL engineers found that the project would have the capacity to generate 26 MW more. The company finally decided to enhance its generation capacity," he said.

The project would be located on the Beas river by constructing a 51-metre high dam near Sujanpur Tira, some 200 km from state capital Shimla.

Verma said the cost of the project has been pegged at Rs.467 crore.

"The Dhaula Sidh project is a joint venture between the SJVNL and the state government. The former has 51 percent equity, while the latter has 49 percent share," the official said.

The project is likely to be commissioned by 2014, he added.

The SJVNL has plans to invest over Rs.23,000 crore in the next 10 years. It is already executing a 402 MW power project in Nepal, which was also later upgraded to 900 MW, and two in Bhutan, besides a host of projects in the country.

The Nathpa-Jhakri hydropower project, which is SJVNL's only commissioned project, started commercial generation from its six units of 250 MW each in September 2003 in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district.

Currently, SJVNL's paid-up equity capital is Rs.4,108.81 crore.