Hydel plant comes up at 13,500ft

EOI, Gangtok, 17 Nov 2014: Sikkim science and technology secretary PT Euthenpa inaugurated a 2 x100 KW demonstration hydel plant at Thangu, North Sikkim on November 14. 

The Union science and technology department has funded 90 per cent of the project for demonstrating the cross flow turbine developed by Prof. S Soundranayagam of the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science, the state government contributing the rest. The total cost of the project is Rs 6.06 crore. 

The project was initially sanctioned back in 1998, finally completed in August this year. The plant was built by the Construction and Power Generation Cooperative Society, Lachen with technical support and consultancy from the State Power Development Corporation Ltd (SPDCL). 

The hydel plant is unique as it is located at an altitude of 13,500 feet. The plant will provide electricity to Thangu village including the army camps in the area. On the request of the locals, the Society has handed over the plant to the Lachen Dzumsa. As per a signed agreement between the Society and the Dzumsa, 12 per cent of the power generated will be provided to the state government free of cost, and the Dzumsa can sell the remaining 88 per cent.