Indian state government approves construction of hydropower plant in Andhra Pradesh

• 2 years ago (2021-10-20)
• David Flin

Asia 847 Hydropower 111

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Srikant Nagulapali, Energy Secretary of the state government of Andhra Pradesh has given approval to the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGenco) to construct a pumped storage hydropower project (PSHP) at Upper Sileru. APGenco has been directed to explore the most feasible option to develop a 1350 MW PSHP and integrate it with solar and wind power for grid stabilisation.

B Sreedhar, Managing Director of APGenco, said: “The topographic and hydrographic surveys and most of the geotechnical investigations have been completed, and the remaining work is in hand. The Sileru PSHP will be the biggest in Andhra Pradesh after the Srisailam and Polavaram hydropower projects.” He added that the project will require 410 hectares of land.

The project is scheduled to generate 1350 MW during peak hours by utilising 1.7 tmc of water from Guntawada reservoir at Upper Sileru and pumping 1.7 tmc of water from Donkarayi reservoir back to Guntawada reservoir during off peak hours. The project will consist of nine turbines each with a capacity of 150 MW.