On 10 and 11 October 2022, an 80 Million Euro interest-rate subsidised loan and 1.5 Million Euro grant for accompanying measures were signed between the Government of India, the Government of Himachal Pradesh, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) and KfW for the construction of four small run-of-river power plants including related infrastructure with 67 MW cumulative capacity. All four small Hydro-Electric Power Plants are designed as run-of-river schemes on the river Baira nallah and its tributary Cheni nallah. Baira nallah is a tributary of the Suil nallah and a sub-tributary of Ravi River in the Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh. The projects will be implemented by the HPSEB. 

The project comprised the following four small hydropower plants: 

1. Sai Kothi I – with a project capacity of 15 MW
2. Sai Kothi II - with a project capacity of 18 MW 
3. Devi Kothi - with a project capacity of 16 MW
4. Hail - with a project capacity of 18 MW

The objective of the project is to increase the planned power generation capacities in the hydro region in Himachal Pradesh and thereby contribute to a CO2 reduction in India’s energy mix. The project has been prepared with comprehensive and encompassing technical and environmental & social studies and corresponding designs including necessary mitigation measures. Along with this, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board will benefit from capacity building to further increase environmental & social quality standards and procedures, as well as technical skills and planning within the organisation. 

For more information, please contact Mr. Nisheeth Srivastava, Nisheeth.Srivastava(at)kfw.de.