Koyna Hydroelectric Project

Koyna Hydroelectric Project
Koyna Dam
Country
  • India
LocationSatara district, Maharashtra, India
Coordinates17°24′06″N 73°45′05″E / 17.40167°N 73.75139°E / 17.40167; 73.75139
StatusOperational
Construction began1954
OwnersMaharashtra State Water Resources Dept, Chief Engineer Electrical, Govt of Maharashtra
OperatorMaharashtra State Power Generation Company ltd
External links
Websitewww.koynaproject.org
CommonsRelated media on Commons

The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the largest hydroelectric power plant in India. It is a complex project with four dams including the largest dam on the Koyna River, Maharashtra, hence the name Koyna Hydroelectric Project. The project site is in Satara district.

The Koyana Dam is situated near Koyananagar village. On river Koyana.

The total capacity of the project is 1,960 MW. The project consists of four stages of power generation. All the generators are located in underground powerhouses excavated deep inside the mountains of the Western Ghats. A dam foot powerhouse also contributes to the electricity generation. Due to the project's electricity generating potential the Koyna River is considered as the life line of Maharashtra. The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydropower Project would be a larger project of 2000MWe in southern India and outside the Koyna plant.

The project takes advantage of the height of Western Ghats. Thus a very large hydraulic head is available over a very short distance.