General Electricals: GE commissions 180 MW Bajoli hydro project in Himachal Pradesh

GE Renewable Energy’s Hydropower business, part of GE Power India Limited (GEPIL) has commissioned the 180 MW Bajoli Holi Project. Three units of 60 MW each have been generating electricity since the project was connected to the grid in March 2022. The 180 MW run-of-the-river power facility has a head race tunnel of more than 16 km and has been constructed on the river Ravi in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh in northern India.

The completion of this project is a step towards using the power potential of the state to support both Himachal Pradesh and the entire northern region of India. In addition to providing the local population with sustainable and clean energy, the Bajoli Holi Hydropower Plant actively contributes to the proper functioning of the country’s infrastructure. For instance, it generates 94 per cent of energy required by the Delhi International Airport Limited – the last 6 per cent coming from on-site solar power plants.

Sanjay Barde, CEO, GMR Energy, said “We wholeheartedly appreciate the GE Hydro Solutions team and their enormous efforts to bring this project to fruition. The immense hard work put in by them to commission all three units within 11 days of water availability while adhering to all quality and safety norms is commendable. We look forward to similar and even more enriching partnerships with GE to further our mutual vision.”

Brian Selby, Regional General Manager, Asia, China & India at GE Renewable Energy Hydro Solutions, said “It gives us immense pleasure to announce that the 180 MW Bajoli Holi Project has been commissioned despite a series of challenges created by the pandemic. In the face of lockdown restrictions in the last year, the site team persevered and continued the erection and commissioning activities by diligently monitoring and implementing precautionary measures and administrative controls. Thanks to the fantastic support extended by our customer GMR as well as the expertise and dedication of the GE Hydro Solutions teams, all the three units were commissioned as committed.”

The Bajoli Holi Project was awarded in March 2015. GE Hydro Solutions was responsible for design and engineering, supply, transportation, erection, testing and commissioning of vertical Francis turbines, generators, penstock valve, Main Inlet Valve, digital governing system, excitation system, control and monitoring, protection system, electrical and mechanical balance of plant equipment.

As an engineering and manufacturing supplier of the Bajoli Holi Hydropower Plant, GE Hydro Solutions has cooperated in overcoming challenges and difficulties during the entire execution of the project and provided its customer GMR with a complete set of high-quality and reliable-performance hydropower equipment.