OOTY: A unique hydro-electricity generation project is all set to come up at Kattukuppai area near here at a cost of Rs 1,850 crore, as Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami inaugurated the works related to establishing the ‘Kundah Pumped Storage Hydro-Electric Project (HEP)’, duringthe opening of the Annual Flower Show at the Government Botanical Garden here on Friday.
In the preamble to this project issued by the State power utility, Tangedco, it is stated that the new hydro power project will have 4 units of 125 MW each hydro power production capacity.
The Kundah pumped storage hydro-electric project envisages meeting the peak power demand of the state grid and provides quality and renewable power supply by flexible operation of State grid.
Under this new hydro-electric project, the existing Tangedco's Porthimund and Avalanche-Emerald reservoirs around Kattukuppai near Ooty will be utilised as the "Upper' and "Lower" reservoirs respectively. An underground power house is proposed to house four units of 125 MW each, which can be reached by means of an underground tunnel.
Unlike the conventional hydro power projects, this new project is a 'Pumped Storage Hydro-Electric Project'. The surplus energy available nduring off-peak time to be utilised for pumping water from the "Lower" reservoir to the "Upper" reservoir and the same water will be utilised for power generation during peak time.
Being hydro generation, this project is pollution-free and a green energy project, it is stated.
