Sh. Nand Lal Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN, has announced the successful commencement of commercial operations for the first unit of the 60MW Naitwar Mori hydroelectric project in Uttarakhand, India.

The 30MW capacity unit achieved commercial operation on 24 November after undergoing rigorous testing and successful synchronization with the national grid. This accomplishment means SJVN's total generation capacity is now 2122MW, up from 2091.50MW.

Sh. Nand Lal Sharma expressed commendation for the dedicated efforts of project officials and all those involved in making this achievement possible. He highlighted that the project is the fifth hydro project by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the nineteenth project to become operational in the state of Uttarakhand.

Naitwar Mori is a run-of-the-river project situated on the River Tons, a major tributary of the River Yamuna in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It features two generating units of 30MW each and has been completed within six years from the award of civil works in 2017. The second unit of the project is expected to be commissioned shortly. The project is anticipated to generate 265.5 million units of electricity annually, and the power will be evacuated through a 37km long 220KV Transmission Line from Bainol to Snail, a construction undertaken by SJVN.

The foundation stone of the project was laid by the Hon’ble Union Power Minister, Sh. R.K Singh, and the then Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Sh. Trivender Singh Rawat, in 2018. Upon commissioning, the state of Uttarakhand will receive 12% of free electricity as royalty. Additionally, each Project Associated Family will be provided with an amount equivalent to the cost of 100 units of electricity per month for ten years, contributing to the welfare of the local community.

by waterpowermagazine