Allunkal Dam
{{Short description|Diversion dam in Kerala, India}}
{{Infobox dam
| location_map = India Kerala#India
| name = Allunkal Dam
| country = India
| location = Pathanamthitta, Kerala
| purpose = P
| status = O
| owner = Energy Development Company Limited
| dam_type = B
| dam_crosses = Kakkad River
| dam_length = {{cvt|121|m}}
| dam_height_foundation = {{cvt|12|m}}
| spillway_capacity = {{cvt|1120|m3/s}}
| plant_turbines = 2 × 3.5 MW
| plant_capacity = 7
| coordinates = {{coord|9|20|15|N|76|56|50|E|region:IN|display=inline}}
| plant_coordinates = {{coord|9|20|15|N|76|56|49|E|region:IN|display=inline}}
| plant_operator = EDCL Power Projects Limited
| plant_name = Allunkal Power House
| plant_type = R
| plant_commission = {{start date and age|2009|p=y}}
| plant_annual_gen = 32 MU
| website = [https://www.edclgroup.com/business-areas/power-generation/ullunkal-hep Ullunkal Hydroelectric Project]
| operator = EDCL Power Projects Limited
| name_official = Ullunkal Dam
}}
The Allunkal Dam is a concrete diversion weir built across the Kakkad River in Chittar panchayat of Ranni taluk in Pathanamthitta district of the Indian state of Kerala.{{Cite web |title=2 X 3.5 MW Ullunkal Hydro Power Project in Kerala, India |url=https://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/DB/SGS-UKL1251372072.5/view |access-date={{date|06-07-2023}} |website=cdm.unfccc.int |language=en |format=PDF}} The dam is {{Convert|121|m}} long and {{Convert|12|m}} tall above the bed. It is part of the Ullunkal Hydroelectric Project, a small-scale private hydroelectric project operated by EDCL Power Projects Limited, a subsidiary of Energy Development Company Limited (EDCL).{{Cite web |title=Ullunkal HEP « EDCL Group |url=https://www.edclgroup.com/business-areas/power-generation/ullunkal-hep/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.edclgroup.com}}{{Cite web |title=7 MW Ullunkal Hydro Electric Project |url=https://projectreporter.co.in/prcontentdetail.aspx?id=6054 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=projectreporter.co.in}}
Access
The dam is located about {{Cvt|3.2|km}} from the nearest town of Chittar, {{Cvt|4.7|km}} from Seethathodu and {{Cvt|33|km}} from the district headquarters in Pathanamthitta. Chengannur is the nearest railway station, about {{Cvt|52|km}} away.
Project history
In 1994, the project was allotted to Travancore Electro Chemical Industries Limited (TECIL), and later, it was taken over by Energy Development Company Limited (EDCL). The project was commissioned in {{Date|Nov 2008}} by then-Electricity Minister A.K. Balan.{{Cite web |title=വെളിച്ചം പകരുമീ കക്കാട്ടാർ |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/news-pathanamthittakerala-02-07-2021/953898 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Deshabhimani |language=ml}} The contract with the government is for 30 years. The electricity generated is paid by the company to Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). In addition to the Ullunkal project, EDCL has the Karikkayam Hydroelectric Project in the Kakkad River downstream of the Allunkal dam, with an installed capacity of 15 MW (3 × 5 MW). It is operated by Ayyappa Hydro Power Limited, which is a subsidiary of EDCL.{{Cite web |title=Ayyappa Hydro Power commissions Karikkayam HEP |url=https://www.projectstoday.com/News/Ayyappa-Hydro-Power-commissions-Karikkayam-HEP |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.projectstoday.com}} The Ullunkal project site was heavily damaged during the 2018 Kerala floods, resulting in a loss of around ₹ 25 crore.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-09-06 |title=അള്ളുങ്കൽ ജലവൈദ്യുതി പദ്ധതി തകർന്നു; 25 കോടി നഷ്ടം |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/allungal-hydro-electric-project-kerala-news/552691 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.madhyamam.com |language=ml}}
Power generation
The power station is located near the dam on the bank of the Kakkad River. It has a total installed capacity of 7 MW with two 3.5 MW S-type Kaplan turbines.{{Cite web |title=Kerala State Electricity Board Limited - Generation |url=https://www.kseb.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45&Itemid=553&la&lang=en |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.kseb.in}} The annual production of electricity at the plant is about 32 million units (MU). The electricity generated at the Allunkal power house is distributed to KSEB's Kakkad power station switch yard at Seethathodu through a dedicated {{Cvt|4|km}} long double-circuit transmission line. After the generation of electricity in the power house, water is released directly into the Kakkad River through a tailrace channel, and the tailwater is collected at the power house in Karikkayam for further power generation.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=ഒരു എഞ്ചിനീയറുടെ സർവീസുൽസവം 118. പാർട്ട് 3. {{!}} Malayali Manasu |url=https://malayalimanasu.com/special/service-story-of-an-engineer-by-johny-thekkethala-6/ |access-date=2023-07-07 |language=en-US}}
See also
References
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