Larsen & Toubro has announced 100% completion & readiness for commissioning of the 99-MW Singoli–Bhatwari Hydroelectric Power (HEP) Plant. The commissioning of this run-of-the-river plant along the iconic Char Dham route will be a major boost to the state of Uttarakhand, with the plant’s capability of providing over 400 million units of renewable energy per annum.
Situated about 25 kms from Rudraprayag, the plant features a barrage, with a medium-sized intake pond near Ukhimath, a 12 km long headrace tunnel and a surge shaft over 180 m in-depth and is devoid of any rehabilitation and resettlement issues. The plant houses 3 units of Voith Turbine generators of 33 MW each, equipped with a state-of-the-art switchyard and controlled via the latest Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology.
The SCADA systems are designed to automatically monitor and control plant and its equipment such as telecommunications, water and waste control to take timely decisions and actions. This provides uninterrupted power supply at minimum generation cost. Besides, the plant will cater to peak demand loads of 2½ hours each in both halves of the day, bringing relief even during non–monsoon months and meeting peak electricity demand.
The wet commissioning process starts with machine spinning of the turbines initially without generation of electricity and upon due testing, eventual synchronization with the grid for supply of electricity. Grid synchronization and charging of the transmission lines is expected in approximately a month, and is timed during the inauguration of the plant.
