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Hydroelectricity refers to the electricity that is produced by the use of hydropower. Hydropower is essential in supplying vast amounts of carbon electricity on precious metals like a demand. Combining it with a reservoir and a dam is a beneficial and flexible source for generating electricity, mainly because the amount produced can be controlled up or down in a fraction of minutes or seconds for adoption to changing energy demands. After constructing a hydroelectric complex, there is no production of direct waste, and compared to fossil fuel-driven energy plants, it has lesser greenhouse gasses.
Some of the Biggest Hydroelectric Power Plants Generating Hydroelectricity in India
India is ranked fifth for having the capability to generate hydropower, which is more than 50 GW. Globally, the countries, namely Brazil, Canada, and the US, have shown a higher capacity.
Here is a list of some of the biggest hydroelectric power plants that generate hydroelectricity in India:
Hydropower Complex at Uttarakhand (Tehri)
The biggest hydroelectric power plant in India is in Uttarakhand, namely Tehri Dam. Its construction started in 1978 and was aided by the former USSR. This is considered to be the tallest, earth-filled and multiple purpose dam. It has a total length of 575 meters, along with a base width of 1128 meters and a crest width of 20 meters. This dam stores water and is also a crucial part of shoplifting water for irrigation facilities in the Northern States of India.
Koyna Hydroelectric Project
This is located in the district of Satara, Maharashtra, near the Konya River and is the largest completed project having a total capacity of 1960 MW. Its construction was initiated in 1954, and it was built in four stages. The operative powers lie with Maharashtra’s state and MAHAGENCO. This project has a total of four dams. The largest one is laid in the river Konya out of these four. Because of the dam’s location in the ranges of the western ghats, the generators are inserted very deep in the mountains, which requires heavy excavation.
Srisailam Dam: The 3rd largest hydroelectric energy power
Next in line is the Srisailam Dam, which has a capacity of 1670 MW. Owned and Operated by the Andhra Pradesh’s Government by APGENCO, it is situated in the Krishna River, Nallamala Hills. The construction started in 1960; however, the dam was only functional from 1981, two decades later. It is near the Srisailam Temple, falling under Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts. It has a total length of 512 metres, a total height of 145 metres and crest gates radical of 12 metres. This dam is India’s third-largest hydroelectric energy power project. The reservoir of this dam is measured at 616 square kilometres.
Nathpa Jhakri Dam
The next dam, India’s fourth-largest, having a generation capacity of 1530 MW, is Nathpa Jhakri Dam. It is located in Himachal Pradesh and is a very concrete dam. The construction for this project began in 1993 and was finished in 2004, resulting in it being declared India’s largest hydroelectric power plant laid underground. The length is 185 metres, and it has a height that ranges from more than 67 metres. This project is spread across the Satluj River, located in the Kinnaur District. This dam also has desilting chambers, the most significant surge shaft, and the longest tunnels for the headrace.
Sardar Sarovar Dam
Having a total capacity of 1450 MW, it is laid across the Narmada river, close to the Gujarat state. Out of all the dams, the largest one being the Narmada Valley Project, it is essential to supply electricity and water to the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The project’s foundation was laid in 1961 c; however, the construction was initiated in 1987 when the world bank funded it under a development scheme in 1979. There was another environmental challenge that delayed the dam’s inauguration to 2017. It is considered the second largest concrete dam globally. The first is Grand Coulee which lies across the Columbia River in the US. The dam is said to have a total length of 1210 metres, a height of 138 metres, and is powered by a total of six turbines of 200 mv Francis type.
Conclusion
Hydroelectric power plant projects can have numerous benefits like generating hydro energy, lesser waste production, and better utilisation of natural resources. However, they also cause a lot of negative impact on the environment, as they lead to loss of land and the population is displaced. There is also a disruption of the river’s ecology over which it is constructed. Some projects can also be risky as they can lead to dam failures that can be very catastrophic.
