Tata Power, on March 5, 2022, celebrated the glorious feat of completing the 100th anniversary of its hydroelectric power plant in Bhivpuri, Maharashtra.
The plant, among the oldest such in India, produces around 300 million kwh (MU) of electricity annually and has provided clean energy for over 100 years to the nation, a release from Tata Power said.
This remarkable achievement also coincides with the AzadikaAmritMahotsav, India@75 and demonstrates Tata Power’s efforts to ‘Power India and Empower Bharat’ for over 100 years.
Since 1916
Tata Power started building the Bhivpuri powerhouse in 1916. Located in Raigad district of Maharashtra near Mumbai, the project was commissioned in 1922, with installed capacity of 48 mw. The capacity was subsequently upgraded to 75 mw, which now includes a new powerhouse with three units of 24 mw, and a tailrace unit with two units of 1.5-mw each. Power transmission is done through 110kV lines, to industries and licensees in the Mumbai metropolis.
Clean energy
Speaking about this milestone, Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO&MD, Tata Power, said, “It’s a proud moment for all of us at Tata Power to mark the centenary celebration of Bhivpuri Hydro Power Station. We are committed to providing clean energy through this plant and on this occasion reaffirm our commitment to achieve clean and green energy capacity of 80% by 2030; thus contributing towards India’s clean energy targets.”
Plants like Bhivpuri hydropower station are important contributors to the company’s journey to promote clean and green power and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2045, the release said.
The hydropower trio
The Bhivpuri plant along with the Khopoli and Bhira is among the first hydroelectric plants in the region that harnesses the major water resources of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Today, these three plants make up Mumbai’s ‘islanding system’, the backup power source that kicks-in in case metropolis’ power supply gets impacted—akin to an inverter system installed inside households. Further, the clean and cheap power generated at Bhivpuri Hydro Power Plant has helped curb pollution in Mumbai, one of the world’s busiest and densely populated cities.
Also read: River Diversion Works For Dhaulasidh Hydropower Project Inaugurated
Irrigation development
The water released from Bhivpuri plant along with the Khopoli and Bhira hydropower plants meets the Ulhas, Patalganga and Kundalika rivers in the Konkan region. This water has enabled rapid industrialization, urbanization, irrigation development, commercial trades, etc. in the downstream areas of Karjat, Ambernath, Ulhasnagar, Thane, Badlapur, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai, etc, the release added.
