Kallada Hydro Electric Power Project, Thenmala

I got a chance to visit the Thenmala Hydro Electric Power Generating Station on 27/12/2024. Visiting the Thenmala Hydro Electric Power Generating Station was an enriching and insightful experience that deepened my understanding of hydroelectric power generation. Our guided tour began with a detailed explanation of the station's history, construction, and its pivotal role in the region's power supply.

The Thenmala Generating Station is located in the Kollam district near the Kallada River. The plant has a rated capacity of 15 MW and an annual generation of 65 MU (Million Units). It consists of two powerful generators, each with a capacity of 7.5 MW. The project at the station is known as the Kallada Hydro Electric Project. The dam associated with the station has a cross-sectional area of 24 square km and a height of 118 meters. The powerhouse also includes an 11/220 kV transformer substation for the transmission of power. The Kallada Power Station utilizes the water released from the Kallada Irrigation Reservoir. It is the first of its kind in Kerala to use water released for irrigation purposes for power generation. The dam is owned by the Irrigation Department of Kerala. After power generation, the water from the station is released back into the Kallada River. From there, it is diverted to an irrigation canal through a diversion weir during irrigation seasons.

The power generated in the station is evacuated through two 66 kV feeders. The plant operates using a combination of  turbines and generators to transform the kinetic energy of the flowing water into electrical energy. The staff offered a detailed explanation of the process, emphasizing how water from the reservoir is directed through penstocks to reach the turbines. As the water flows through, it spins the turbines, which, in turn, activate the generators to produce electricity. This generated power is then transmitted through power lines to supply energy to both residential areas and industries, meeting the region's growing demand for electricity.

My visit to the Thenmala Power Generating Station was both informative and inspiring. It provided me with a deeper understanding of hydroelectric power generation.