Neelum Jhelum powerhouse resumes generation

In the wake of contractual inspection, Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has resumed power generation today (February 2) on schedule. The project, which was commissioned in April 2018, remained shut down from January 5 onwards for the contractual inspection of the plant during the low flow period of River Neelum.
The inspection of the plant on depressurization of Tailrace showed the civil works and E&M works in good quality of construction and robust equipment. The repair where required was minor and carried out on 3.5 KM underground Tailrace, draft tubes, bonnet gates, the MIVs, and the generating units along with the auxiliary equipment. The spillway and debris channel gates of the Dam structure were also tested under the fully operational level of the reservoir which functioned satisfactorily.
The available flow of River Neelum is around 60 Cumecs which allows operation of one unit utilizing live storage of the reservoir. Thus, the Neelum Jhelum Powerhouse is generating about 242 MW at present. All the four units require 280 Cumecs of water which will be possible by March / April 2019 entailing full generation of 969 MW. The Powerhouse is expected to achieve design energy production of annual 4.6 billion units during 2019-2020 generating revenue of Rs. 50 billion per annum approximately.
It is worth mentioning that the first unit of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project was commissioned in April 2018. Its all four units went into operation in a phased manner by August 14, 2018. Prior to its contractual inspection, Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project injected over 1.8 billion units to the National Grid.n