Greenko to add 425MW run-of-river hydro projects in India

India-based clean energy developer Greenko has outlined its plans to add six run-of-river hydro projects totaling 425MW.

The proposed projects are expected to be developed in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Two projects totaling 115MW capacity will be added to an existing cluster of hydroelectric projects in the state of Himachal Pradesh whereas four of the projects will come up in Arunachal Pradesh as part of a new hydropower cluster.

Projects in the state of Arunachal will be built across the perennial Yargyap Chu River in the West Siang District.

Greenko currently operates three clusters in the country – Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Karnataka with combined power generation capacity of 325.85MW.

The Himachal cluster anchors 11 operational hydro projects totaling 71MW and two under construction projects totaling 33.6 MW, while in Sikkim a 96MW facility is under construction.

In Karnataka, the company operates five hydro projects totaling 94.25 MW alongside three under construction projects with 58MW capacity.

Construction of the newly proposed projects is expected commence by late 2013 and will help the company meet its objective of having 1000MW installed capacity by 2015.

Greenko, meanwhile, secured a £100m investment from sovereign wealth fund GIC for its Mauritius arm.

Commenting on the developments Greenko chief executive Anil Chalamalasetty said, "We are pleased to announce the addition of 425 MW to our northern hydro projects, with expansion in Himachal Pradesh and the addition of Arunachal Pradesh, secure in the knowledge that we have the technical capability to deliver them and now the financial fire power, thanks to today’s announcement of a £100 million equity investment by GIC, one of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds."