Current Affairs Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination

Topic: Dagmara Hydroelectric Project

Why in News?

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC Limited) and Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (BSHPC) for Implementation of 130.1 MW Dagmara Hydroelectric Project, the largest hydropower project of Bihar.

Key Points

• Dagmara multipurpose hydropower project is located about 31 km downstream on Kosi river under Bhaptiyahi block in Supaul district.
• It will be a ‘Run-of-River’ project.
• It will have the total capacity of generating 130 MW energy, in which 17 units of 7.65 MW will be installed for power generation.

Expected Benefits

• Project will be a landmark project in the power sector scenario of Bihar as far as green power is concerned.
• Apart from generating clean and green power, the execution will boost the socioeconomic and infrastructure development in the area and shall also create employment opportunities.

What are Run-of-River Hydro Projects?

• Run-of-river hydro projects use the natural downward flow of rivers and micro turbine generators to capture the kinetic energy carried by water.
• Typically, at a high point along the river a dam is constructed to create a headpond in front of the dam.
• From the dam water is diverted from the river through a pipeline ('penstock') which leads to a downstream powerhouse.
• The water level in the headpond is to ensure that the intake to the penstock remains under water.

About NHPC

• NHPC is a Category-A Miniratna Company under Ministry of Power, in the field of Hydropower.
• Currently, NHPC has 24 operational power stations with a total installed capacity of 7071 MW.