NHPC Limited, India's premier hydro power company has commissioned all the three units of its 231 MW (77 MW x 3) Chamera-III Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh. All the three units of the Project have been put on commercial operation. Shri A.B.L Srivastava, Director (Finance), NHPC said, "With the commissioning of the 231 MW Chamera-III Project in Himachal Pradesh, the installed capacity of NHPC has gone up to 5526 MW, which includes 1520 MW through our JV subsidiary NHDC". Shri Srivastava further added that NHPC is slated to add 981 MW in the current financial period.

231 MW Chamera - III is a run of river scheme on river Ravi in the upstream of 300 MW Chamera-II Hydroelectric Project in Chamba Distt. of Himachal Pradesh. This project is situated in comparatively lower Himalayan region and has been constructed amidst metamorphic rocks of Chamba formation on river Ravi. The project would generate 1104 million units annually in a 90% dependable year.

The major components of the Chamera - III project include a 68 m high concrete gravity dam on river Ravi, a 15.99 kms long and 6.5m dia horse shoe shaped Head Race Tunnel, a 110 m high and 18 m dia surge shaft and an underground power house consisting of 3 units of 77 MW each.

The Chamera III Project was sanctioned by Govt. of India at a cost of Rs.1405.63 Crores (February 2005 P.L.) The power generated from Chamera III will benefit the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh (UT). A share of 12% of the generated energy will be given to State Government of Himachal Pradesh as free power. The project is a fine example of attaining a massive engineering feat while facing challenging weather conditions as flashfloods and geological surprises.

The project has been completed through sheer hard work and dedication of NHPC employees and the guidance and support from Ministry of Power. The project also received full cooperation of the local people and Government of Himachal Pradesh. NHPC has been playing a crucial role in exploiting the hydro power potential in the state of Himachal Pradesh. With the commissioning of Chamera III, NHPC has now successfully commissioned projects with a total installed capacity of 1251 MW in Himachal Pradesh which include 180 MW Baira Siul, 540 MW Chamera - I and 300 MW Chamera II Power Stations. Besides, NHPC constructing projects with a total installed capacity of 1320 MW in the state which include 800 MW Parbati-II and 520 MW Parbati-III projects in Sainj Valley.

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