May 13, 2008

Gujarat to set up 10 MW hydro power projects

BS reported that Gujarat government is planning mini hydro power projects with a total capacity of 10 MW along all major dams in central and south Gujarat. These plants are likely to come up on Karjan, Damanganga and Vanakbori projects in south Gujarat.

Mr Nitin Patel water resource minister of Gujarat said that "We intend to utilize the excess water during monsoon to generate electricity. At present, this water is being wasted."

He said that Gujarat government has planned 2 units of 1.5 MW each on the Karjan project at an investment of INR 16 crore. Similarly, it would invest INR 24.40 crore in the Damanganga project to generate 5.25 MW apart from 1 MW that will be generated on Vanakbori.

Mr Patel further added that around 500,000 hectare had benefited due to various water harvesting programs carried out during the past 5 years. According to him, around 20,000 million cubic feet water was being harvested as a result of 100,000 check dams built in various parts of the state.