Hydroelectric project in India sets two world records

Situated in southeastern India, near Ramayya Peta village in the Polavaram Mandal of the Godavari District, the record-setting Polavaram project on the Godavari River boasts the largest continuous concrete pour and the most concrete continuously poured in 24 hours. The project, with its impressive specifications—ranging from a full reservoir level of 45.7 metres in elevation, to 12 80-MW units with a design discharge of 331 cubic meters per second each—will deliver water and electricity to homes, industries, and communities throughout the region. The spillway is now complete. The powerhouse complex area, including intake and tail race channel, are under construction, with a daily mobilization of about 1,000 people.

Tractebel plays key roles throughout the project

Tractebel in India was appointed as the Design and Detailed Engineering Consultant for the 12 X 80 MW (960 MW) Polavaram Hydroelectric Project in the Andhra Pradesh state. Our hydropower experts are providing technical assistance to the client in obtaining approval of design & drawings from the Owner/Owner’s Engineer, participating in technical meetings, replies to Owner/PMC observations as well as modified design and drawings as per site conditions etc. during project implementations. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2024.

Service bay, loading & unloading bay under construction

Polavaram sets two Guiness World Records

What sets the Polavaram Project apart? Discover its unique features:

Concrete marvel: The spillways, standing tall with a pier height of 54 meters, boast a total of 48 gates spanning 1,070 m. To achieve this, an astounding 3,100,000 cubic metres of concrete, 50,000 tons of steel, and a staggering 9,300,000 tons of cement have been meticulously poured. The project has etched its name in history by setting two Guinness World Records: one for the “most concrete continuously poured in 24 hours” (32,100 cubic meters) and another for the “largest continuous concrete pour.”

1. Irrigation and water supply: The Polavaram Project holds the promise of irrigating a vast expanse - 4,200,000 acres - across two phases. Its impact extends beyond irrigation: it will significantly influence water supply to all 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh.
2. Resilience against epic flooding: Designed to withstand catastrophic floods occurring once in a millennium, the Polavaram spillway stands as a testament to human ingenuity. With a discharge capacity of 5,000,000 cubic metres per second, it surpasses even the renowned Three Gorges Dam in China (which boasts a capacity of 4,700,000 m³/sec). The Polavaram dam, with a total capacity of 194 TMC (thousand million cubic feet), ensures efficient water utilization, with a mere 1.5 TMC reserved for dead storage.

Powerhouse: inspection of gallery works for concreting

Powerhouse, Unit 1: joint site visit of the finished draft tube

Powerhouse: inspection completed of the gallery works

Sustainability, Technology, and Tourism

Sustainability
Hydropower, derived from the gravitational force of flowing water, has long been recognized as a sustainable and renewable energy source. The Polavaram project significantly reduces the carbon footprint per unit of energy compared to fossil fuels. It is a model for future hydroelectric plants, with a primary aim to harness and store renewable energy to support round-the-clock green power supply.

Cutting-edge technology
Behind the scenes, advanced finite element applications like midas FEA NX come into play. These tools perform 3D stress analyses of the powerhouse complex, ensuring structural integrity. Our experts also used industry-leading, least-cost optimization modeling tools to design and analyze various civil components.

Intake model analysis in midas FEA NX

Intake excavated at site

Boosting tourism
The Polavaram hydroelectric plant not only generates power, but also breathes life into the tourism sector. Located within the renowned Papikonda National Park, the reservoir is a scenic attraction, beckoning travelers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

“Tractebel continues to make great strides in integrating storage technologies into India’s power network, reducing dependence on fossil fuels while maximizing green energy supply. We are proud to play a key role in meeting the state’s growing water and energy demands. From fertile fields to thriving communities, the Polavaram project’s impact will be far-reaching for decades, perhaps centuries, to come.”

Yumkhaibam C Singh, Deputy General Manager, Tractebel Middle East and Asia

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