OHPC preparing pre-feasibility report for five new hydro projects

Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) is in the process of preparing pre-feasibility report for five new hydro power projects with a combined capacity of 1543 MW.

These projects include Bhimkund & Baigundi project on Baitarani river in Keonjhar district (110 MW), Kanpur small hydroelectric project in Keonjhar district (3 MW), Indrabati pump storage project (600 MW), Balimela pump storage project (510 MW) and Upper Kolab pump storage project, according to the state energy minister Arun Kumar Sahoo.

OHPC's overall generation capacity stands at 2062 MW.

The minister said that the state government had signed MoUs (memorandum of understanding) with 36 developers for small hydro projects with an envisaged generation capacity totaling to 472 MW, involving an investment of Rs 2250 crore.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)- Roorkee has been entrusted with the task of vetting the drawing and design of these small hydro projects.

OHPC is currently operating seven hydro-electric projects- Hirakud-I (Burla)- 275.5 MW, Hirakud-II (Chipilima)- 72 MW, Balimela- 510 MW, Rengali-250 MW, Upper Kolab- 320 MW, Upper Indravati- 600 MW and Machkund- 14.75 MW.

Among the private developers that have firmed up plans for small hydro electric projects in the state include city-based Sidheswari Power Generation Pvt Ltd that has proposed 10 MW Kharagpur SHEP in Koraput district.

Similarly, Secunderabad-based Pallavi Power & Mines had proposed 15 MW SHEP on river Kolab between Tentuliguma and Sangumma. Another Secunderbad-based developer- Sarvani Energy had planned 15 MW Dumajhori SHEP, four km from the Kolab river in Koraput district.