New hydropower contract in the Indian Himalaya

SMEC International in association with SMEC India has signed a contract to provide detailed engineering services for the Shrinagar Hydroelectric Project in Uttarakhand State in northern India.

Uttarakhand is located in the western Himalayan ranges and became the 27th State of the Republic of India when it was excised from the State of Uttar Pradesh in 2000. It has an estimated hydropower potential of 15,000 MW with only 1124 MW developed to date. The Government has a target of developing 3000 MW of new capacity during the current five-year planning period with most plants to be funded through private investment.

Shrinagar Hydroelectric Project is a run-ofthe- river scheme proposed for the Alaknanda River in Tehri and Pauri district of the State. The project will have an installed capacity of 330 MW (four units of 82.5 MW) and a peaking capacity of 363 MW. This will generate 1515 GWh of energy in an average year. Features of the proposed project include a diversion structure consisting of a 90 metre high and 248 metre long concrete gravity dam. The water conductor system will comprise an 1100 metre long headrace tunnel, a surface desilting chamber and a 3050 metre long power channel terminating in a forebay, from which the water will be conveyed through four surface penstocks to individual generating units at a net head of 66 metres.

The project is being developed and will be owned by Alaknanda Hydro Power Company Limited which is a GVK Group Company based in Hyderabad. GVK is a major Indian project investor with a predominant focus on power, transportation and infrastructure development.

The engineering services will be provided jointly by staff from the Melbourne and Delhi design offices of SMEC’s Civil Infrastructure Group.

Contact: Manoli Loukas Regional Manager India Telephone: (91) 124 437 6017 Email: manoli.loukas@smec.com.au