NATHPA JHAKRI HYDROELECTRIC STATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: SJVN Limited has achieved a significant milestone with the inauguration of India's first Multi-purpose (Combined Heat & Power) Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at SJVN’s 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh.

Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Station

• About: It stands as the largest hydropower project on the Sutlej River, boasting a capacity of 1,500 MW.
• Confluence and Formation: It merges with the Chenab River, giving birth to the Panjnad River, before ultimately meeting the Indus River.
• Ownership: The project is under the ownership of SJVN Ltd., a joint venture between the Indian and Himachal Pradesh governments.
• Government Vision: The Indian government aims for a comprehensive development plan, envisioning around 30 projects along the Sutlej River.
• Project Infrastructure: Valued at USD 2 billion, the Nathpa Jhakri project comprises a 62.5 m-high concrete gravity dam, an extensive underground desilting complex, and a robust hydropower plant with an impressive installed capacity of 1,500 MW.
• Power allocation from plant: Northern states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the cities of Delhi and Chandigarh.

Sutlej River

• About: It is longest of the five tributaries of the Indus River that give the Punjab (meaning “Five Rivers”) region its name. 
• Origin: On the north slope of the Himalayas in Lake Rakshastal in southwestern Tibet.
• Drainage Basin: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Ladakh and Haryana.
• Tributaries: Baspa river, spiti river, nogli khad, soan river

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