Sarbari Run-of-River Hydro Project
Located on the Sarbari River in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India, this small-scale
run-of-river project consists of two 2.25MW turbines to supply zero-emissions renewable electricity to the
state grid – Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Boards (HPSEB). The project is verified to the Voluntary
Carbon Standard (VCS) and is now also registered with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
The region:
India’s population is growing by 1.4% a year and it is
projected to become the world’s most populous country
by 2025. With such growth comes an increasing
requirement for energy and reliance on fossil fuel. The
development of alternative types of energy supply is crucial
to enable India to grow without impacting the global need to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The scenic Kullu District, also known as the Valley of
the Gods, is one of the most famous districts of the western
Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. This mountainous
state is well positioned for run-of-river hydro projects due
both to its extreme variation of elevation as well as its
abundance of rivers and glaciers. The state has approximately
25% of the country’s hydro potential and is currently able
to sell some of the hydro electricity to nearby states. In
addition to its hydroelectric power, agriculture and tourism
are the other two major activities in the region. Agriculture
contributes 45% of the net state domestic product and
directly employs approximately 70% of the population.
Emission reductions:
This run-of-river hydro plant reduces CO2 emissions by
displacing electricity generated from fossil-fuel based
plants. India’s electricity generation currently relies heavily
on the use of coal but small-scale hydro plants do not incur
the local environmental pollution or solid waste problems
associated with coal-fired stations.
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Community Benefits:
CHINA
PAKISTAN
NEPAL
BHUTAN
BANGLADESH
BURMA
ARABIAN SEA
In addition to the environmental benefits,
the project has also contributed to the local
economy and livelihood of residents through
the creation of jobs – 17 employees are
currently working full time in the plant while
approximately 250 others were hired for the
planning, construction, and commissioning.
The project developer has also built a road
and bridge, which improves transportation
in the surrounding areas in addition to
improving access to the project. As a result
of these improvements, the journey between
the adjacent village of Nagujharh and the
next nearest community is now only half a
kilometre, whereas previously it was eight
kilometres.
BAY OF BENGAL
Project area coordinates: The project power house is located at Latitude 310 59’ 35’’ North
and Longitude 770 01’ 50’’ East
The Technology:
Hydroelectric power, or hydro power, is electricity generated
from the energy of moving water. There are several types of
hydroelectric facility, including impoundments, run-of-river and
pumped storage. Impoundments and run-of-river projects are
both powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water. However
impoundments use large reservoirs to restrict the flow of water
while run-of-river projects use the natural flow of waterways. A
pumped storage hydro facility produces electricity by moving
water between reservoirs at different elevations during peak
times. In all three cases, water is usually fed either from a
reservoir or the natural flow of a river into a turbine which is
installed at the bottom of the dam. When water is released
from a height onto the turbines, pressure causes the turbine
blades to rotate. This in turn moves a shaft which is connected
to an electrical generator which converts the kinetic energy
of water into electrical energy. The energy produced primarily
depends on the volume of water and the height difference
between the water source and the turbines.
The CarbonNeutral Company - a world-leading provider of carbon reduction solutions
London T: +44 20 7833 6000 E: [email protected]
New York T: 1-646-367-5800 E: [email protected]
Singapore T: + 65 688 44465 E: [email protected]
www.carbonneutral.com