India’s National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) initiated civil works on the 300MW stage II of the Chamera hydroelectric project during October. Located on river Ravi, the project comprises construction of a 39m high gravity dam, a 7.86km long and 7m diameter headrace tunnel, a 93m high surge shaft and a 3.6km long tailrace tunnel. The 300MW (3×100) underground power house will be located on the right bank of the Ravi.
Chamera II first received federal techno-economic approval in 1986, but it was delayed because NHPC and the federal government were examining the various possibilities of external funding, particularly from Canada. Ultimately NHPC tied up a Canadian loan from EDC of Canada in July 1998 to cover the foreign debt component of the US$390M project.
The 540MW stage I of Chamera project comprises three 180MW units.
