The Kuwarsi small hydroelectric project, with a capacity of 9.90MW, has officially commenced operations ahead of schedule in Himachal Pradesh, India. Located near Lamu Village, about 65km from Chamba Town, the project is situated on a tributary of the Ravi River and is designed to harness the region’s hydroelectric potential efficiently.
Developed by V.B. Hydro Projects Limited, the facility features two horizontal Francis turbines operating at a rated speed of 750 RPM. With a net head of 120.36m, the power generated at 6.6 kV is evacuated at 33 kV and 66 kV through an outdoor switchyard.
This project marks the first completed venture in India by Geppert Hydro India Private Limited, an extension of the Austria-based Geppert Hydro. The company, known for its 128-year engineering legacy, contributed its European design expertise, adapted to Indian site conditions. The collaboration between Indian and Austrian engineering teams ensured a solution tailored to the region’s unique challenges.
Despite encountering natural and logistical challenges, the Kuwarsi project was commissioned ahead of schedule – a feat attributed to the coordinated efforts of V.B. Hydro Projects and Geppert Hydro. The leadership of V.B. Hydro’s Managing Director, K. Uma Maheswara Rao, alongside board members Jayanth Reddy Mereddy and Anuj Kumar, played a critical role in maintaining project momentum and meeting civil construction timelines.
This commissioning represents a significant step in sustainable energy development in the region, contributing to India’s broader renewable energy goals. Both companies expressed optimism about future opportunities to leverage their combined expertise for similar projects.
