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Ramganga Power Plant (3X66 MW)

The power plant is a Reservoir based scheme on river Ramganga located near the famous Jim Corbet Park in district Pauri Garwhal and utilizes the water dammed up for irrigation purpose. The project was commissioned in 1975. The water in the irrigation channel is regulated by UP Irrigation and the generation is dependent on the rain in the catchment area as also on the drawal of water for irrigation purpose in the command area of the canal. The surface power house is located at the toe of the dam and houses 3 units of 66 MW each with Francis turbines of 92400 HP. The Power Station's Design Energy is 311 MU with a design head of 84.4 m.

Photograph of Ramganga dam

The Ramganga power station is a medium head scheme with a design discharge of 285 cum. The project has unique challenges in operation due to restriction imposed on the release of water in the water conductor system by UP irrigation which is dependent on the demand of water in the command area of the canal based on the irrigation requirement. The generation in the plant takes place after the monsoon season when the demand for irrigation picks up. 
The generation from the plant is dependent on the drawal of water for irrigation in the downstream of the plant and rainfall in the catchment area. The plant recorded highest generation in 2000-01.                 

The breakdown hours have reduced from 395 hours in 2003-04 to nil in 2004-05. 
                
The repair of the downstream channel is with UP- Irrigation Department. UJVNL has taken up the repairs of the under water parts of the plant.

UJVNL proposes to obtain a KfW line of Credit from Germany for undertaking major M&U works in the power station estimated to cost Rs. 40 crore. The major M&U works proposed are:- 

i) Provision of Micro-processor based Governors, Static excitation equipments, On-line monitoring equipment and Replacement of Generator winding with F Class insulation.

ii) Modernization of Communication, Test & Control, Protection & Instrumentation, switchyard equipment, hydro mechanical equipment, etc.

iii) Repair of civil structures and MIV 

iv) Improvement in the efficiency of Generators and Turbines

The generation after the completion of M&U works would increase to 311 MU and the M&U is expected to be completed by 2010.