Power generation in Himachal Pradesh down by 85 per cent

• 3 months ago (2024-01-22)
• David Flin

Asia 850 Hydropower 112

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Facing the worst-ever drought in India in the last 100 years with no rain or snow this winter, power generation at major hydropower projects in the state of Himachal Pradesh in north India is down by 80-85 per cent.

Himachal Pradesh supplies electricity to nine states in northern India, and the region is facing increased power demand as a result of cold weather.

A senior engineer at Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) said: “There are possibilities of deepening power crisis in nine states of north India due to a 90 per cent drop in power generation at the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri underground hydropower plant. Only one out of six turbines are functional due to low discharge in the river, which is fed by glaciers.”