What is a Hydroelectric Power Plant?
A hydroelectric power plant is a structure designed to harness the energy of flowing water to produce electricity. Typically, water is directed through a dam or similar structure, where it flows through turbines. As the turbines spin, they power generators, which convert the mechanical energy of the flowing water into electrical energy.
Classification of Hydropower Projects in India:
Hydropower projects in India are classified based on their sizes into large and small hydro projects. The classification criteria are as follows:
- Small Hydro Projects (SHP):
- Micro Hydro: Capacity of 100 kW or below.
- Mini Hydro: Capacity ranging from 101 kW to 2 MW.
- Small Hydro: Capacity ranging from 2 MW to 25 MW.
- Large Hydro Projects:
- Capacity exceeding 25 MW.
List of Hydro Power Plants in India
- Tehri Dam
- State and River: Uttarakhand, Bhagirathi
- Year of Establishment: 1978
- Highest dam in India, built in collaboration with USSR.
- Srisailam Dam
- State and River: Andhra Pradesh, Krishna
- Year of Establishment: 1960
- Second-largest hydropower project in India.
- Bhakra Nangal Dam
- State and River: Himachal Pradesh, Satluj
- Year of Establishment: 1948
- Utilized by both Punjab and Haryana.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- State and River: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Krishna
- Year of Establishment: 1967
- World’s largest masonry dam, protected by 26 gates.
- Idukki Dam
- State and River: Kerala, Periyar
- Year of Establishment: 1976
- Kerala’s heavy dependence on it.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam
- State and River: Gujarat, Narmada
- Year of Establishment: 1987
- Largest dam of the Narmada Valley Project.
- Shivanasamudra Dam
- State and River: Karnataka, Kaveri
- Year of Establishment: 1902
- First hydropower plant in India.
- Teesta Dam
- State and River: Sikkim, Teesta
- Year of Establishment: 2003
- Consists of 3 turbines for hydropower generation.
- Koyna Dam
- State and River: Maharashtra, Koyna
- Year of Establishment: 1956
- Largest hydel power project in India.
- Salal Dam
- Union Territory and River: Jammu and Kashmir, Chenab
- Year of Establishment: 1970
- Constructed in two stages – I and II.
- Ranjit Sagar Dam
- State and River: Punjab, Ravi
- Year of Establishment: 1981
- Also known as Thein Dam.
- Machkund Dam
- State and River: Odisha, Machkund
- Year of Establishment: 1955
- Hirakud Dam
- State and River: Odisha, Mahanadi
- Year of Establishment: 1957
- One of the first major multipurpose river valley projects post-independence.
- Rangit Dam
- State and River: Sikkim, Rangit
- Year of Establishment: 2000
- Highest dam in Sikkim.
- Bansagar Dam
- State and River: Madhya Pradesh, Sone
- Year of Establishment: 2006
- Indra Sagar Dam
- State and River: Madhya Pradesh, Narmada
- Year of Establishment: 2005
- Largest reservoir in India.
- Mukkombu Dam
- State and River: Tamil Nadu, Kaveri
- Year of Establishment: 1838
- Smallest dam in India.
- Nathpa Jhakri Dam
- State and River: Himachal Pradesh, Satluj
- Year of Establishment: 1993
- Comprises 6 turbines for hydropower generation.
- Omkareshwar Dam
- State and River: Madhya Pradesh, Indravati
- Year of Establishment: 1996
- Karcham Wangtoo Dam
- State and River: Himachal Pradesh, Satluj
- Year of Establishment: 2005
Hydro Power Plants in India – State-wise List
| State | River | Hydroelectric Power Plant |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Krishna | Nagarjunasagar Hydro Electric Power plant, Srisailam Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Andhra Pradesh, Orissa | Machkund | Machkund Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Gujarat | Narmada | Sardar Sarovar Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Baira | Baira-Siul Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | Bhakra Nangal Hydroelectric Power plant, Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Beas | Dehar Hydroelectric Power plant, Pandoh Dam, Pong |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab | Salal Hydro Electric Power plant, Dulhasti |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Jhelum | Uri Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Jharkhand | Subarnarekha | Subarnarekha Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Karnataka | Kalinadi | Kalinadi Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Karnataka | Sharavathi | Sharavathi Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Karnataka | Kaveri | Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Kerala | Periyar | Idukki Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Madhya Pradesh | Sone | Bansagar Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Madhya Pradesh | Narmada | Indira Sagar Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh | Rihand | Rihand Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Maharashtra | Koyna | Koyna Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Manipur | Leimtak | Loktak Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Odisha | Sileru | Balimela Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Odisha | Mahanadi | Hirakud Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Sikkim | Rangit | Rangit Hydroelectric Power plant |
| Sikkim | Teesta | Teesta Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi | Tehri Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Baspa | Baspa-II Hydro Electric Power plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Satluj | Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Electric Power Plant |
| Himachal Pradesh | Ravi | Chamera-I, Chamera-II |
| Himachal Pradesh | Beas | Pandoh Dam |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab | Dulhasti |
Hydroelectric Power Plants in India – Faqs
- Which is India’s first hydroelectric power station?
India’s first hydroelectric power station is Shivanasamudra, located in Karnataka. It was established in 1902 on the Kaveri River. It also holds the distinction of being the first hydroelectric power station in Asia. - Which is the largest hydroelectric power plant in India?
Ans: Koyna Hydroelectric Project. (Located in Maharashtra, India. Installed capacity: 1960 MW. Completed in 1964. Often referred to as the largest completed hydroelectric power plant in India)
