West Bengal Turns to Hydropower for Power Security

---

Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--A master plan to identify the residual hydropower potential in the Indian state of West Bengal is under way, as is a preliminary investigation to identify the conventional hydropower potential in North and South Bengal.

The identification of the hydro potential is key to the state's plans to expand hydropower over the next decade and is aimed at reinforcing efforts to improve power efficiency and increase the contribution of reliable and sustainable power generation capacity.

The west Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) has identified a total potential of 6,300 megawatts (MW) of hydropower in the state, including 1,500 MW from canal falls. A preliminary investigation to identify the hydropower potential of the existing irrigation canal system also is being conducted. Currently, the state's hydropower capacity stands at 1,078 MW, from both conventional hydro and pumped storage schemes.

Investigative studies will be performed for several projects, including the 84-MW Teesta Intermediate Stage and the 81-MW Teesta Low Dam 1 and 11 projects in the Darjeeling district.

A detailed project report is also being prepared for the 125-MW Farraka Barrage project in Murshidabad, the 56-MW Rammam Stage 1 hydro project in Darjeeling, and the 24-MW Rammam Ultimate project in Darjeeling.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.