Development concept of Koyna Power Project

Koyna river rises in Mahabaleshwar hill range of Sayadri and flows towards eastern side where it meets Krishna river. Koyna is major tributary of Krishna.

Under Koyna complex main storage is constructed on Koyna river near Gadavkhop village of Patan taluka in Satara district of Maharashtra. Storage impounds 279.7 Mcum  (98TMC) of water for the USA in fair season water release from present tail race of Koyna (I + II) and under installation Koyna IV will be collected in pickup dam named Kolkewadi lake to feed releases for Koyna stage III peak load power station releases of stage III are nearly to sea level.

The Koyna stage I & II unit were commissioned during 1962 to 1967 wit plant load factor of 80%. It has an underground power house complex under one cavern at Phopli with pelt on type generating units (8 Nos) and a total installed capacity of 580 Mw. It receives water from the Koyna reservoir named after honorable King of Maharashtra  Shivaji Sagar Lake through a head race tuned and inclined shafts. The stage III units near Kolkewadi was commissioned in 1975 to 1978 with installed capacity of 320 Mw. The water is received through the tail race tunnel after being used for Power generation at Phopli  i.e. stage II. Although reduced availability of water over  period of time would reduces the average load factor to about 44%. Adding on new generating units there is a scope for a further reduction in the plant load factor to best use the plant in grid. the Koyna stage IV is parallel to the existing Koyna stage. I and II has full head between the Koyna Reservoir (Shivaji Sagar Lake) and the Kolkewadi Reservoir.

The Koyna stage IV has four units of 250Mw each in the under ground power house complex. the important factor is that no additional water would be diverted from the Shivaji Sagar Lake. The combined development would give @ 1400 million kwh    

KOYNA HYDROELECTRIC  PROJECT(STAGE IV)

  Endowed with an abundance of rich natural resources ,Maharashtra is a state that has learnt to judiciously harness these resources for developement .A state that blends vision with enterprise in creating significant projects for this purpose...like the majestic Koyna Hydroelectric Project .With three stages completed , this project is well and truly the lifeline of the modern, industrial Maharashtra ! 

   Rising high in the hills Mahabaleshwar, along with Krishna and Veena rivers,Koyna travels 65 kms through mountains terrain blessed with abundant rainfall.It is on the western slopes of these mountains , making full use of the steep gradients ,that the Koyna Power Project is located.

The Koyna dam is situated at Koynanagar in Patan taluka of Satara district.Its Shivaji sagar reservoir has a capacity of 2797 million cubic meters. Water from Shivaji sagar is diverted westwards towards Pophali, near Chiplun, where an underground hydroelectric power plant with a generating capacity of 560 megawatts has been set up. Water from the Phohali plant is released into the 36million cubic metre reservoir of the Kolkewadi dam, where another underground generating plant is located. This is capable of generating upto  320 megawatts of electricity whenever the power requirements of the state increase. The water from this plant is released through a canal into the Vashisthi river in northern Chiplun.All three schemes are part of the completed stage III of the Koyna Project.

 While all the three stages of the project are fully operational , some additional scheme have also been completed .One of these utilises the monsoon waters of the vashisthi river .Another deals with generating electricity from the water realesed from Shivaji sagar reservoir for irrigating the Koyna and Krishna river banks .A 40 Megawatt generating station has been set up for this purpose at the foot of the Koyna dam. 

A state of the forefront of India's industrial activity,Maharashtra lays equal stress  on developing both industry and agriculture .But ,as home to many significant and major industries ,it is experiencing  a sharp increase in the demand on its power supply.

The state's power needs are met through  a variety  of resources ,including thermal and nuclear power plants. An efficient power grid covers the entire area ensuring a ready supply whenever required.

However ,the heavy demand on its supply  on its supply by industries ,businesses, offices etc ,especially during peak hours, is rising steadily. And it is here that the hydroelectric power plants have demonstrated their utility. With an ability to step up or stepdown power generation during specific periods with almost easy, they are invaluable in maintaining the balance between demand and supply. 

Keeping this growing demand in mind stage IV of the Koyna project address the need of the hour. Without constructing a new dam, the total quantity of water presently being used under stages I,II& IV together. However , as the total generating capacity will increase under stage IV, the diversion of water in aday will be for a shorter duration as compared to the present one.In stage IV which  is being implemented  at Kolkewadi in the Sahyadris ,4 generators of 250 megawatts capacity each are being setup. The scheme, which is similar to stage I & II ,will be released in the Kolkewadi reservoir and used in the same manner as in stage III .

Rapidly nearing completion , the Koyna Hydroelectric Power Project is a tribute to the foresight an dvision of the late Yashwantrao Chawan ,former Chief Minister Of Maharashtra.Aptly described as the "the lifeline of Maharashtra" by the eminent economist the late C.D.Deshmukh, it shows how the need of industry ,agriculture  & irrigation can all be met  at the revised estimate of approximately RS 1114 crores, is fast taking shape.Credit goes in no small measure ,to a dedicated team of engineers & workers  working day and night to complete it.

Surrounded by eternal beauty of nature in all its glory the majestic mountains ,dense forests,beautifull  waterfalls in monsoon ,natural enviornments the Koyna Project is an "Engineering Marvel ".Testimony of the untiring efforts of thousands of workers  & engineers ,it stands tall  & proud a true symbol of developement  at its best.

As a mark of respect & tribute to the memories of Pandit ,Nehru Memorial & Garden has been developed.....

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