By IANS,
Shimla: Work on the 800 MW Koldam hydroelectric power project being executed by the National Thermal Power Corporation in Himachal Pradesh would be completed by 2012, union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said Sunday.
The project would be commissioned by March 2012, he said while reviewing the project near Barmana in Bilaspur district.
The hydropower project is located on the border of Bilaspur and Mandi districts.
“The project is built on the pattern of a run-of-the river project as the silt is not allowed to accumulate and hinder the power generation process,” he said.
The minister also visited the dam site and powerhouse and inaugurated various development projects at the site.
Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources with a power potential of about 23,000 MW. About 6,480 MW have been harnessed till now by the central and state governments, private players and joint venture companies.
In the coming fiscal, the state government proposes to add more than 600 MW with the commissioning of Allain Duhangan, Malana II, Budhil, Chamera III and some other small projects.
Currently, 13 hydropower projects in the state sector, six in central and joint sectors and 19 in the private sector with a combined generation capacity of 5,809.1 MW are being executed.