Revival of Larji Hydropower Project in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

Kullu, January 18, 2024

The Larji Hydropower Project situated on the Beas River in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, has resumed its operations after a hiatus of nearly seven months. The spinning of the first unit of the project commenced on January 15. In July 2023, all three units of the project were damaged due to floods. Currently, one unit has successfully initiated its revival process, and the goal is to have the remaining two units operational by May. The state electricity board’s production team, led by Chief Engineer Sanjay Kaushal, has played a crucial role in the restoration of Unit 1’s spinning.

This project, identified as a challenging task, has been completed in minimal time, showcasing the commitment and expertise of the board. The aim is to bring Units 2 and 3 into operation by May. The restoration of Unit 1 is expected to generate approximately 6-8 lakh units of energy daily, contributing an estimated revenue of 50 to 72 lakh rupees per day for the electricity board.

After the complete revival of all units, the project is prepared to generate approximately 620 million units annually, with an annual revenue of around 310 crores through power purchase agreements, based on an average energy purchase rate of 5 rupees per unit. The project, with a total capacity of 126 megawatts, has been operational since 2006-07. Until its shutdown on July 9, 2023, the project had successfully produced 104.306 gigawatt-hours, surpassing its annual production target consistently.