Hydroelectric Projects in Kerala

Hydroelectric projects are a primary source of electricity in Kerala. Electricity is generated in these projects by harnessing the power of falling water. Water stored in dams is channeled to power stations through tunnels and steel penstocks. These power stations house massive generators, where electricity is produced by the rotation of turbines. The turbines are designed to spin when struck by the force of water falling from a height. The first mini hydroelectric power plant in Kerala was built by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company (1906) at Munnar, with an installed capacity of 200 KW. However, the generation of electric power in Kerala by the Government began only in 1928. A Government owned diesel generating station at Trivandrum was started functioning with a capacity of 245kW. Pallivasal project is the first hydroelectric power station in the state of Kerala, India. The construction work was started during 1933. Soon the Electricity Department was formed in Kerala in 1933. The foundation stone for the Pallivasal powerhouse building was laid by then Travancore Maharaja, Chithira thirunnal Rama Varma on 1st March 1935. Later, in 1940, the first generating unit of Pallivasal Power station was commissioned. The inauguration of the Pallivasal power station was done by the then Diwan of Travancore, Sir C.P Ramaswamy Iyer on 19th March 1940. The second power station in Kerala is Sengulam (1954). 300 MW Sabarigiri Project in 1966 and 780 MW Idukki Project in 1976 are milestones in the endeavor of power development.

Hydro Electric Projects of Kerala

IDUKKI HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (780 MW)

It is the biggest hydrolectric Project in Kerala. Here Dam positioned amid the two mountains - Kuravanmala (had an altitude of 839 m) and Kurathimala (had an altitude of 925 m). It is built on the Periyar River. It was commissioned on 4th October 1975. Canada Government aided with long term loans and grants. The Longest Underground Power Station in India is Moolamattom. The First Arch Dam in India is Idukki Dam. It is the highest dam of its kind in the world. The Largest and Highest Gravity Dam in Kerala is Cheruthony.

SABARIGIRI HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (335MW)

It is commissioned in 1967. It is located on the Pamba & Kakki rivers in the Moozhiyar Dense Forest of Pathanamthitta. The Dam Height is 110 m. The Dam Length is 336 m. It is the second largest hydel power station in the state.

IDAMALAYAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (75MW)

It is a Multi-purpose concrete gravity dam located on the Idamalayar River (Ernakulam District). The Dam Height is 91 m. and Length is 373 m. It is commissioned in 1987.

SHOLAYAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (54 MW)

It is commissioned in 1966. Two Sholayar named dams are there, one in Tamilnadu and the other in Kerala. Kerala's Sholayar is commonly known locally as Chalakkudy Dam. Sholayar Dam (Hydro Electric Dams) which is built in Chalakkudy river.

PALLIVASAL HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (37.5MW)

It is commissioned in 1939. It is built in Mudirampuzha river. It was established during the reign of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

KUTTIYADI HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (225MW)

It is a Masonry gravity dam. It is located near Vadakara, Kozhikode district. It started functioning in 1972. It is the first hydro electric project in the Malabar Region.

PANNIYAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (30MW)

It was started in 1963. It is built across Panniyar, a tributary of Muthirapuzha river.

NERIAMANGALAM HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (77.65 MW)

It has 4 units, the first unit was commissioned in 1961 and the last in 2008. It utilises the tail waters of Chengulam power station and Panniyar power station and excess catchment of Mudirampuzha river below Munnar.

LOWER PERIYAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (180MW)

It is located at Kothamangalam in ldukki District. It has 3 units. The first unit was commissioned in 1997. It envisages utilisation of the tail waters from the existing Neriamangalam power station and the spill from Kallarkutty head works.

PERINGALKUTHU HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (48MW)

It is completed in 1957. It is built across Chalakudi river in Thrissur District.

CHENGULAM HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (48MW)

It is situated at about 9 km down stream of Pallivasal Project in Muthirapuzha River. It started functioning in 1951.

KAKKAD HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (50 MW)

Project has two concrete gravity dams, namely Moozhiyar and Veluthodu. Moozhiyar and Veluthodu streams are the tributaries of Pamba River. The power house is located in Pathanamthitta District. It is commissioned in 1999.

KALLADA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (15 MW)

It is located in the Kallada village of Kollam district in Kerala. It is commissioned in 1994. It has an approved and installed capacity of 15 MW.

MALANKARA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (10.5 MW)

It is located at the Malankara dam of Karikode village in the Thodupuzha taluk of Idukki district. The power project was commissioned in 1994 with an installed capacity of 10.5 Megawatt.