L&T to develop its first hydroelectric BOOT project

Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) has been awarded the development rights for the 60MW Singoli Bhatwari Hydroelectric Power Project by the government of Uttaranchal. The project is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttaranchal on the Mandakini river, a tributary of the Ganga.

Valued at around Rs500 crore, this project will be executed on a build-own-operate-and-transfer (BOOT) basis. L&T will develop, finance, construct, commission and operate the power plant for a concession period of 45 years. Though the company has to its credit engineering and construction of many power, infrastructure and industrial projects and BOT variants, this will be its maiden hydroelectric project through the public- private partnership model.

The project involves design and construction of a 20-metre high and 80-metre long barrage, 12km long headrace tunnel, surface powerhouse, substation and a 12km long 132kV transmission line. Francis turbines will be used to generate 361 million units of energy per year with 90 per cent rainfall.

K V Rangaswami, executive director and head, construction division, L&T, said, "Hydro projects would be one of the thrust areas for L&T, and such projects give us the opportunity for taking up challenging construction and engineering works. We are also evaluating similar project opportunities in other states".