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Chanju-I hydropower project set to commence operations
5 September, 2016
I A Energy and specialist power and water consulting firm Entura today announced the conclusion of the 36 MW Chanju-I run-of-river hydropower project in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India.
The milestone was announced during a hydropower roundtable hosted by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission in New Delhi, attended by Tasmania’s Minister for Energy, Matthew Groom; representatives of the Ministry of Power, Government of India; and members of the private sector.
The participation of the private sector in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in India was approved in 2005. Chanju-I was awarded to I A Energy through a competitive bidding process and the business engaged Entura in 2007.
“This is a very important moment for us at I A Energy as Chanju-I was our first step towards diversifying into the renewable energy sector,” said I A Energy Managing Director Narendra Goel.
“We’re very pleased to have worked with Entura to develop a safe, cost-effective and sustainable run-of-river hydropower station that will support India’s need for new renewable electricity supply.”
Entura’s involvement over the full cycle of the project helped I A Energy ensure the right location, access and water availability for a viable project. The firm developed an effective design for the project, ensured its progress through development approval, and played an ongoing role during construction.
“Chanju-I is a very special project as we have been involved with it since its inception, and today we are delighted to be celebrating its completion,” said Entura India’s Managing Director.
“We are very proud of having supported the successful entry of a private sector player in India’s hydropower market, which will certainly inspire others that might be considering renewable energy but don’t have the expertise.”
“Chanju-I demonstrates the extensive hydropower experience and skills of our teams in India and Australia, which enabled I A Energy to overcome a number of challenges throughout the different phases of the project, delivering valuable outcomes such as increasing the asset capacity from 25 MW to 36 MW.”
The project involved construction of a 16-metre high barrage, a 4.1 km head race tunnel, two underground desilting chambers, underground pressure tunnels, pressure shafts and a surface power house. Entura provided technical expertise in optimising design and construction, costing, contract packaging, selection of equipment, scheduling and project management.
As part of Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest renewable energy producer and water manager, Entura draws on more than 100 years of experience of planning, building, managing and maintaining the many assets of Tasmania’s hydroelectric power system.
The firm has been working with clients around the globe, undertaking the design of a number of international hydropower projects over the past decade, including Dordi Khola in Nepal, Nam Pha Gnai in Laos, and Neusberg in South Africa.
