Description

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Context:

BHEL commissions first two units of mega Bhutan hydroelectric project.

About Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II)

Aspect	Details
Location	Wangdue district, Western Bhutan
Type	Greenfield hydroelectric project
Bilateral Agreement	Executed under a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan
Objective	- Meet Bhutan’s energy needs - Export power to India, contributing to regional energy security
Significance	Supports India’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels
Execution	Erection and commissioning of the plant were carried out by BHEL’s Power Sector Eastern Region division, based in Kolkata
Funding	- Government of India funds the project with 30% as a grant and 70% as a loan at 10% annual interest
Surplus Power	All surplus power from the project will be exported to India

Main features of the project

The Francis turbine at the site is designed to operate at a nominal head of 241 meters, the highest of any Francis hydro turbine in Bhutan.
After the full operation of all six units, the expected annual electricity production will be 4,357 gigawatt hours.
Dimensions of the underground power plant: length 240.7 m, width 23 m, height 51 m.

About Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL)

BHEL is India's largest engineering and manufacturing company in the power and infrastructure sector.
Founded in 1964.
The Government of India granted Maharatna status to BHEL on 1 February 2013. It offers comprehensive products, systems, and services in power generation (thermal, hydro, gas, nuclear, solar photovoltaic), transmission, transport, defence, aerospace, oil and gas, and emerging industries such as batteries and electric car chargers.
It has a presence across India with 16 manufacturing units and more than 140 project locations overseas.
Global Hydroelectric Projects: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Rwanda, Thailand, New Zealand, Nepal and Vietnam.

Source:

cnbctv.18

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II):

It is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power-generating facility under construction in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan.
The Punatsangchhu II hydroelectric power plant will comprise an underground powerhouse which will be equipped with six Francis turbines of 170 MW capacity each.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II) is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power-generating facility under construction in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan.

It is located on the right bank of the Punatsangchhu River.

The project is being developed by the Punatsangchhu II Hydroelectric Project Authority, under an Inter-Government Agreement (IGA) between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India.

Statement 2 is correct: The project also involves a 168.75m-long and 22m-high upper cofferdam and a 102.02m-long and 13.5m-tall downstream cofferdam.

The Punatsangchhu II hydroelectric power plant will comprise an underground powerhouse which will be equipped with six Francis turbines of 170 MW capacity each.

On commissioning of all six units, the expected annual power generation will be 4,357 million units of electricity.