Sonawade Small Hydro Power Project
Project Number: VCS 1114
Standard: VCS
Technology Type: Renewable Energy/ Run of River Hydro-electric (4 MW)
Project Location: Near the existing Warna Dam (also called Chandoli Dam) on the Warna river (a main tributary of River Krishna) near Sonawade and Chandoli villages, Shirala Taluka, Sangli District, Maharashtra, India.
Project Description
The project uses an existing water body (no water reservoir has been created for this project) and so it does not have any negative environmental impacts.
It is a small hydro power project with 4.0 MW capacity using 2 x 2 MW vertical shaft Kaplan type turbines.
Water from the existing irrigation reservoir (Warna Dam) is released through the Warna left bank canal outlet into the escape channel to flow to the river. The project takes advantage of the substantial difference in height between escape channel and the Warna river. After generating electricity, the water flows through the existing escape channel into the Warna river via the tail race channel.
The generated power is being exported to the Indian grid, which is a fossil fuel dominated power system. The project displaces electricity which has an emissions intensity of 0.8409 tCO2/MWh.
Project With Benefits
Sustainability co-benefits, beyond the carbon, associated with this project include:
The project contributes to sustainable development through its reduction of GHG by displacing energy generation from fossil fuels.
It also helps reduce fossil fuel usage (a finite and non-renewable resource) which contributes to national energy security while helping reduce SOx, NOx and particulate matter pollution.
The project is helps to reduce the power deficit experienced in Maharashtra.
The technology demonstrates both the use of environmentally safe technologies in the small-scale hydro power sector and the harnessing of small hydro potential in the region, encouraging the setting up of similar projects.
As the project is in a rural area, it aids in the region’s development and helps reduce the rural population’s migration to urban areas. It’s provided direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local people during construction and operation, and created business opportunities for local stakeholders such as suppliers, manufacturers and contractors.
Stakeholders were consulted and they were supportive of the project.
