Polavaram Hydro Electric Project works gather pace

The Polavaram Hydro Electric Project (PHEP) is teeming with activity as thousands of workers are toiling to enable the AP-Genco to commission three out of its 12 units of 80 MW capacity each by July 2027, and complete the project in all respects by January 2028.

The sense of urgency to keep pace with the implementation of the irrigation component of the multi-purpose Polavaram project is visible in the manner the works have been expedited.

The PHEP is aimed at supporting the grid , especially during the monsoon when water is released to the Godavari delta, thereby enabling the AP-Genco to meet the grid demand economically by producing 23 Million Units (MU) per day. Workers are currently busy fabricating and assembling vertical Kaplan turbines in massive generator barrels one by one.

According to a senior official of the AP-Genco, the power generating units have a huge discharge capacity of 331 cubic metres per second and the turbines have a speed of 100 revolutions per minute. These are the first of their kind and the biggest Kaplan turbine units in India.

The PHEP will consume about 12 tmcft of water (one tmcft per unit per day) and has an annual energy potential of 2,500 MU. It will yield a revenue of nearly ₹1,145 crore per annum at an estimated levelized tariff of ₹4.57 unit. The electrical and mechanical equipment are being supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) while the private sector giant SIEMENS Energy Limited is providing gas and air insulated substation equipment.

The electro-mechanical works are being done by Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL). Top officials of the Energy Department and the AP-Genco are duly focused on carrying out the works in such a way and at a speed that is required for synchronization with the construction of the dam in order to ensure that power generation begins simultaneously when the water is released.

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand and AP-Genco Director (Hydel) M. Sujaya Kumar are keeping a close tab of the works as Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar have been personally monitoring the project execution.