Font size:
Print
Tehri Hydro Power Complex (Tehri HPC)
Context:
Recently, the Union Minister of Power and Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, visited the Tehri Hydro Power Complex and examined the ongoing construction work at the 1000 MW Tehri Pumped Storage Plant (PSP), a key project of THDCIL that is crucial to India’s renewable energy sector.
Tehri Hydro Power Complex (Tehri HPC):
- THPC is a multipurpose scheme in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal, on the Bhagirathi River, a tributary of the Ganges.
- Designed to store surplus water during monsoon and release it during non-monsoon periods for irrigation, drinking water, and generating 2400 MW of peaking power.
-
Components of Tehri HPC:
-
- Tehri Hydro Power Plant (Tehri HPP): 1000 MW (4×250 MW)
- Koteshwar Hydro Electric Project (Koteshwar HEP): 400 MW (4×100 MW)
- Tehri Pumped Storage Plant (Tehri PSP): 1000 MW (4×250 MW)
-
Development History:
-
- Conceived in 1949 as a major storage scheme on the Bhagirathi River.
- Cleared for implementation by the Planning Commission in 1972.
- In March 1994, the Government of India approved the implementation of Tehri HPP, along with committed works of Koteshwar HEP and essential works of Tehri PSP.
Achievements:
- Tehri HPP is a landmark and a source of national pride.
- It has been operational since commissioning, fulfilling drinking and irrigation needs, and providing much-needed peaking power to the Northern Grid.
- Successfully mitigated floods during heavy rains in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
Bhagirathi River:
- Originates from Gaumukh, located at the base of Gangotri and Khatilang glaciers in Uttarakhand.
-
- Regarded as the birthplace of the Ganga on earth.
- The Ganga Goddess is worshipped at Gangotri temple, one of the Chota Char Dham temples in Garhwal.
-
- Course: Extends for about 205 km.
-
-
- Joined by small streams and rivers along its course.
- Ends its journey at Devprayag, where it merges with Alaknanda to form the Ganga.
-
- Headstreams: One of the two headstreams of the Ganga, the other being Alaknanda River.
-
-
- Bhagirathi is mythologically considered the source stream of the Ganga.
- Alaknanda is considered the source stream based on length and discharge.
- Tributaries: Joined by tributaries such as Kedar Ganga, Jadh Ganga, Kakora Gad, Jalandari Gad, Siyan Gad, Asi Ganganear, and Bhilangana.
-
