Dolowal, Salar and Bhanubhura Mini Hydroelectric Projects
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Three Mini Hydroelectric Projects (MHP) aggregating to 4.2 MW at Dolowal, Salar and Bhanubhura on the Kotla Branch Canal, District Sangrur, Punjab, India was commissioned in April 2003. The plants are operating successfully since then.
The purpose of the project activity is to generate electricity by utilizing water flowing through the existing canal system as a renewable energy resource to meet the ever-increasing demand of energy in the region. The development of the project activity contemplates the production of clean hydroelectric power that will contribute to reduce CO2 emissions, which would have occurred otherwise, in absence of these projects.
1.4 MW hydroelectric power plant at Dolowal, 1.5 MW hydroelectric power plant at Salar and 1.3 MW hydroelectric power plant at Bhanubhura of this project activity generate electricity and sell it to the State utility i.e., Punjab State Electricity Board.
These three plants are of low head, canal drop based mini hydroelectric projects. The projects are canal based renewable hydroelectric generating plants, which includes forebay, intake, power house, draft tube, turbine, and tailrace. The component plants do not involve any type of displacement, rehabilitation or relocation.
The projects are generating electricity successfully by converting the potential of kinetic energy of the canal water and the renewable electricity produced is fed into the Punjab State Electricity Board Grid thereby replacing the equivalent amount of electricity produced from thermal stations and thus reducing greenhouse gas emission.
Project impacts and benefits:
M/s Punjab Hydro Power Private Limited is a socially responsible organization dedicated to improve the quality of life in the project’s vicinity. This project has contributed to the following benefits to the local region:
Regular COVID-19 awareness campaigns conducted and banners displayed at prominentplaces;
More than 50,000 masks distributed to frontline workers, District Administration, andcommunity;
Distribution of Stationery to schools;
Distribution of common utility items like carpet/speaker/chairs etc;
Over 1,500 poor households were supported for dry ration kit.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Covered:
SDG 3: Good health SDG 4: Quality Education SDG 7: Affordable Clean Energy SDG 8: Work + Economic Growth SDG 13: Climate Action