NHPC expects Rs 300-cr expenses on 280 MW Dhauliganga project

Pproject has completely stopped power generation and it will take at least six more months for operations to resume

State-run NHPC expects to incur expenses worth Rs 300 crore related to damages and restoration of its 280 MW Dhauliganga hydro power project that was impacted by the recent Uttarakhand floods.

The project has completely stopped power generation and it will take at least six more months for operations to resume.

"Due to Uttarakhand floods, the 280 MW Dhauliganga power plant has been completely shutdown. It will take at least another six months to re-start operations there.

"The cost, due to the damages and restoration expenses, is estimated to be around Rs 300 crore," NHPC Director (Finance) A B L Srivastava told PTI.

In June, the company had said that floods damaged various ancillary structures of the project like roads, residential and non-residential buildings.

Currently, the leading hydel power producer has an installed power generation capacity of 5,702 MW.

In the wake of the unprecedented floods in Uttarakhand, that resulted in massive devastations, hydro power plants drew flak with some quarters raising concerns that such projects are adversely impacting the environment.

Srivastava said even though the perception about hydro projects "has not been good" after the floods, the fact is "just reverse".

"There is a need to educate the local people and others about the benefits of hydro power," he said.

Making a strong case about viability of hydro projects, he said "the presence of hydro projects actually helped in reducing the impact of the recent floods in Uttarakhand".

"Tehri dam helped in reducing the impact," Srivastava said.

He also emphasised that the potential of hydro power sector in the country is not fully utilised.

NHPC is awaiting approvals for about 10 projects having a total capacity of 8,801 MW. This includes five joint venture projects with cumulative capacity of 3,686 MW.