Bhubaneswar: The 600 MW Upper Indravati mega hydroelectric Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Odisha’s Kalahandi district is among the six such projects in the country cleared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The PSP is being set up by the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).
The Upper Indravati PSP will have four stages, each with a generating capacity of 150 MW. The reservoir formed on the Indravati due to the four dams (part of an existing hydroelectric power project) across the river and its tributaries – Podagada, Kapur and Moram – will be used as the upper reservoir. This has a capacity of 1,455.76 million cubic metres (MCM).
“The lower or downstream reservoir, with a capacity of 5 MCM, will be built after construction of an 18-metre high earthen embankment at the foothill of Mukhiguda. During peak period, power will be generated as water from the upper reservoir flows down to the lower one through turbines,” an OHPC official said.
He explained that the PSP will have four vertical-axis-reversible-type hydroelectric units, each with a generator motor and pump turbine to generate 150 MW. An underground power house with four reversible turbines will be set up. Each turbine, of 150 MW capacity, will operate under a rated head of 344.37 metres in generating more and 379.17 metres in pumping mode. There will be a transformer hall with a step-up transformer and GI Switchyard. This will act as a giant power storage station, releasing power when required.
Two More PSPs – one at Balimela in Malkangiri (500 MW) and the other at Upper Kolab in Koraput (300 MW) are in the pipeline.
