The Teesta Urja hydroelectric project is on the Teesta River in Sikkim, India. The project was first suggested in 1989, with the Indian government approving it in 2006 and was launched in 2019. NHPC Limited, a government-owned public-sector organization in India, has been working on it. The project is said to produce 4,800 million units (MU) of electricity annually.
Technology and Working of Power Plant
The Teesta Urja hydroelectric power plant is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric generating project. It signifies that the project does not use a reservoir to store water. Instead, the project harnesses the Teesta River’s natural flow to generate electricity and comprises two dams and two powerhouses. The first dam, the Chungthang Dam, is a 130 m (430 ft) high concrete gravity dam built at Chungthang in Sikkim. The Dikchu Dam, located in Sikkim, is a 45-meter (148-foot) high concrete gravity dam. The aggregate installed capacity of the two power plants is 1200 MW. The first power plant, the Chungthang Power Plant, has 600 MW. The Dikchu Powerhouse, the second powerhouse, has a capacity of 600 MW.
The Teesta Urja project employs two types of turbines: Francis turbines and Pelton turbines. The Chungthang Powerhouse employs Francis turbines, whereas the Dikchu Powerhouse employs Pelton turbines. Francis turbines are appropriate for low-head hydroelectric generating projects like the Teesta Urja plant. Pelton turbines are appropriate for high-head hydroelectric generating projects.
Benefits of the Project
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Clean energy generation
The Teesta Urja project produces clean electricity that emits no greenhouse gases. This contributes to India’s carbon footprint reduction and climate change mitigation.
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Reduced oil imports
The Teesta Urja project lessens India’s reliance on imported oil for power generation. This helps India save money and reduces its sensitivity to oil price fluctuations.
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Economic development
The Teesta Urja project has created jobs and strengthened Sikkim’s economy. In addition, the initiative has resulted in the construction infrastructure in Sikkim, such as roads and bridges.
Negative Impact of the Project
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Environmental concerns
The environmental impact of the Teesta Urja project has been criticized. The project has displaced people, and forests have been destroyed. In addition, the project has been accused of worsening flooding in Sikkim.
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Social unrest
Some Sikkim groups have opposed the Teesta Urja project. These organizations have claimed that the project will benefit outsiders at the expense of Sikkim’s indigenous people.
The Effect of October Flash Floods on the Project
A flash flood hit the Teesta Urja Project on October 3-4, 2023. A cloud burst above Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, caused the flash flood. Due to a cloud burst, a landslide occurred which blocked the Teesta River.As a result, the river overflowed its banks, resulting in a flood. The floodwaters damaged the Teesta Urja Project’s infrastructure, including its dam, powerhouse, and tunnels. The water also displaced hundreds of individuals.
The October flash flood serves as a reminder of hydroelectric power installations’ vulnerability to natural calamities. As per experts, extreme weather events, such as cloud bursts and landslides, are predicted to become more frequent and intense due to climate change. This presents a substantial problem for hydroelectric power project planning and operation.
