Boxing up of first two units completed at NHPC's Teesta-III HEP

Boxing up of units one and two have been successfully completed at Teesta Low Dam III hydroelectric power project (HEP), under implementation by the state-run power major, NHPC Limited. In addition, hydro-mechanical (H&M) works at the project site are progressing as per schedule.

These are welcome developments, as the HEP has, so far, witnessed myriad hurdles to its execution, ranging from strikes called by Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (GJMM), which disrupted supplies of the critical construction material needed for its execution, delay in forest clearance and slope failure in the powerhouse area, and problems in supply of equipment from BHEL, which has been awarded the contract for the electro-mechanical package.

As per the latest progress report, unit one is expected to be synchronized by March 2012.

The Teesta-III project envisages the construction of a 32.5 m high barrage across the Teesta river and a 125m x 22m x 56m surface power house, with four Kaplan turbine generator units, of 33 MW capacity, each. The project would afford an annual energy generation of 594.07 million units (MU), assuming 90% performance.