Srinagar: Originating from an elevation of more than 16,404 feet (ft), Marusudar is the biggest tributary of the Chenab river. Covered with glaciers, it falls north to south into a fan-shaped catchment in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), passing through a mountainous terrain full of steep slopes, high cliffs, and sharp bends. On its course, it gathers enough velocity to generate clean power for over a hundred thousand people in the State.
The Pakal Dul Power Project, situated on the Marusudar is possibly the biggest hydroelectric project in J&K, constituting a 548-feet-tall concrete-face rockfill dam expected to enhance the region’s power generation capacity through nature’s bounty. Underpinning this mammoth project is an underground powerhouse, capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of green electricity.
Germany-based Voith Hydro, which operates the site, chose the technology pioneer for its generator transformers and control and protection system to ensure uninterrupted efficient and safe transmission of power at higher voltages from the hydropower plant.
The design of the transformers took into account stringent constraints on weight and dimensions to ensure safe transport within the hilly terrain.
The control and protection solution, a critical system in any power network, was chosen by the customer for its high reliability and flexibility. It is based on advanced communication protocols and is compliant with the latest cybersecurity standards for power systems.

KR Desk