Himachal CM dedicates 192 mw AD Hydro power plant to the nation

Manali, September 13, 2012:Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister on Thursday dedicated the 192 MW Allain DuhanganHydro Power Plant to the nation. At a special function here today, Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal visited the Plant and addressed a huge gathering. The occasion was also graced by Shri Khimi Ram, Minister for Forest & Tribal Affairs and by Shri Govind Thakur, MLA.

The function was followed by Community lunch, wherein people from neighbouring villages participated in huge numbers.

Allain Duhangan power planthas been commissioned by AD Hydro Power Ltd. (ADHPL), a part of Rs 5,400 crore business conglomerate LNJ Bhilwara Group in collaboration with SN Power, Norway. Prior to this, LNJ Bhilwara Group had also set up a 86 MW Malana Power PlantatJari in Kullu district in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Himachal Pradesh has been amongst the most progressive states in the country and has created an enabling environment for hydro power projects.

“We are delighted to dedicate this plant to the nation. The plant has been critical to the growth of LNJ Bhilwara Group and we thank the people of Himachal Pradesh as well as the state government for having given their continued support in making this project a success,” said Shri Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, LNJ Bhilwara Group.

Commenting on the development, Erik Knive, EVP Asia, SN Power said, “We are extremely delighted to be a part of this great moment. The plant is testimony of our effort and commitment towards development of India’s green energy sector.”

Allain DuhanganPlant is a run-of-the-river scheme. The project was co-financed by the International Finance Corporation and is designed to generate 800 million units per annum. “The Plant utilizes water from the Hamtal and Pataori Himalayan streams, which form the AllainRiver, and from the Chandar Tal glacier-fed DuhanganRiver. Water from these two sources is diverted by separate intakes and underground headrace tunnels into a common intermediate reservoir. Afterwards the water is discharged through a steel/concrete lined pressure shaft into the state-of-the-art underground powerhouse of ADHPL. Power will be transmitted to the national grid connection point located at Nalagarh, HP, via a 175 kms high voltage transmission line constructed by the company,” informed Shri Jhunjhunwala.
The Allain Duhanganplant will help meet the shortage of power in the Northern region, presently estimated at 5000 MW. The plant will be operated as a peaking plant from November to May and as a base load plant during the summer and rainy seasons from June to October. During the peaking season, the plant is expected to operate in morning and evening hours daily. Located in close proximity of the famous tourist town of Manali, ADHPL is clearly the epitome of Hydro Power project in perfect harmony with nature.

LNJ Bhilwara group has the distinction of being India’s first merchant power producer in the Hydro sector. It also has a proven record for cost-effective and fast track completion of its Hydro and Captive Thermal Power projects.The group provides superior global experience in power

consultancy, through ICCS, a Joint Venture with RSW Inc. (AECOM),Canada, a world leader in power consultancy.

LNJ Bhilwara Group has always committed itself to the welfare of communities it works with in various locations of Himachal. “The state has been integral to our Group’s diversification and expansion and we owe a lot to its people. We shall continue to do our best for Himachal Pradesh,” added Mr Jhujhunwala.

About LNJ Bhilwara Group

Established in 1961, the Rs 5,400 crore LNJ Bhilwara Group is a well diversified conglomerate with major business interest in Textiles, Graphite Electrode, Power Generation and Power Engineering Consultancy. Global in vision, ingrained with Indian values, Group employs over 25,000 people and is driven by a performance ethics pegged on value creation for its multiple stakeholders.The Group has business relations in more than 70 countries and is one of the largest exporters of synthetic spun yarns from India.

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Shri Surya Kant Chahal Shri S. K. Babbar

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