View source for Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox dam
| name                 = Karcham Wangtoo Dam
| name_official        = Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant
| image                = File:Damsite of Karcham Wangtoo Project at Karcham, Kinnaur.jpg
| image_size           =
| image_caption        =
| image_alt            =
| location_map         = India#India Himachal Pradesh
| location_map_size    =
| location_map_caption =
| coordinates          = {{coord|31|32|35.53|N|78|00|54.80|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country              =
| location             =
| status               = O
| construction_began   = 2005
| opening              = 2011
| demolished           =
| cost                 = [[Indian rupee|Rs.]] 7,150 crore ($687 million USD 2011)
| owner                = [[JSW Group]]
| dam_type             = [[Gravity dam]]
| purpose              =Power
| dam_height           = {{Convert|98|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_thalweg   =
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_length           = {{Convert|177.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_crest      =
| dam_width_base       =
| dam_volume           =
| dam_elevation_crest  ={{Convert|1813|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_crosses          = [[Sutlej River]]
| spillway_count       =
| spillway_type        =
| spillway_capacity    =
| res_name             =
| res_capacity_total   =
| res_capacity_active  =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment        =
| res_surface          = {{Convert|588|m2|acre|0|abbr=on}}
| res_elevation        ={{Convert|1810|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| res_max_depth        =
| res_max_length       =
| res_max_width        =
| plant_hydraulic_head = {{Convert|298|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (gross)
| res_tidal_range      =
| plant_operator       =
| plant_commission     = 2011
| plant_decommission   =
| plant_type           =
| plant_turbines       = 4 x 250 [[megawatt|MW]] [[Francis-type]]
| plant_capacity       = 1,000 MW
| plant_annual_gen     = 4,560 GWh est.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hydroelectric Power Plants in India - Himachal Pradesh|url=http://www.industcards.com/hydro-india-him-pradesh.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126055627/http://www.industcards.com/hydro-india-him-pradesh.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=26 January 2013|publisher=IndustCards|accessdate=14 June 2013}}</ref>
| website              =
| extra                =
}}

The '''Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant''' is a {{convert|1091|MW}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/cea-restricts-capacity-of-jp-hydro-plant-sold-to-jsw-115042200973_1.html|title=CEA restricts capacity of JP hydro plant sold to JSW|last=Jai|first=Shreya|access-date=2016-05-28}}</ref> [[run-of-the-river]] [[hydroelectric]] [[power station]] on the [[Sutlej River]] in [[Kinnaur district]] of [[Himachal Pradesh]] state of India.<ref name=UNCDM/>

==Etymology==

The dam and power station are located between the villages of [[Karcham]]<!-- As per wikipedia guidelines, retain the redlink to encourage article creation. --> and [[Wangtoo]]<!-- As per wikipedia guidelines, retain the redlink to encourage article creation. --> where the plant also gains its name.<ref name=UNCDM/>

==History==

In 1993, and after years of delays, the Jaypee Karcham Hydro Corporation Limited of [[JSW Group|Jaypee Group]] signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the dam. On 18 November 2005, the construction on the power station began.<ref name=UNCDM>{{cite web|title=Hydroelectric Project in Kinnaur District in Himachal Pradesh|url=http://cdm.unfccc.int/filestorage/0/2/Y/02YB5GD8L9HS3MERIOFAVTJNQU14K7/4993%20PDD.pdf?t=dHN8bW9jeG1hfDAMug_zpK_9b5wrkwItMhUY|publisher=UN Clean Development Mechanism|accessdate=14 June 2013}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2015, Jaypee Group sold out Karcham Wangtoo Project to [[JSW Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/JSW-Energy-buys-JP-Powers-2-hydro-projects-for-Rs-9700-crore/articleshow/48871298.cms|title=JSW Energy buys JP Power's 2 hydro projects for Rs 9,700 crore - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=8 September 2015 |access-date=2016-05-28}}</ref>

In May 2011, the first generator was commissioned, the second in June and the final two in September.<ref>{{cite web|title=Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project|url=http://globalenergyobservatory.org/geoid/42131|publisher=Global Energy Observatory|accessdate=14 June 2013}}</ref>

==Technical details==

The {{Convert|98|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall dam at Karcham ({{Coord|31|30|00.26|N|78|10|39.54|E|name=Karcham Dam}}) diverts a substantial portion of the Sutlej into a {{Convert|10.48|m|ft|abbr=on}} diameter and {{Convert|17.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} long headrace tunnel to the underground power station downstream at Wangtoo. At the station, the water powers four 250 MW [[Francis turbine]]-generators before it is sent back into the Sutlej via a {{Convert|1.2|km|mi|abbr=on}} long tailrace tunnel. The difference in elevation between the dam and the power station affords a gross [[hydraulic head]] of {{Convert|298|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. Water not diverted by the dam is sent over the [[spillway]] and down the normal course of the river. The main spillway is along the crest of the dam and is controlled by six [[radial gate]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jaypee Karcham Hydro Corporation Limited|url=http://www.jalindia.com/underexec_karcham.htm|publisher=Jalindia|accessdate=14 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401142922/http://www.jalindia.com/underexec_karcham.htm|archive-date=1 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Just upstream of the dam is the 300 MW Baspa II Hydroelectric Plant and downstream of the Karcham Wangtoo is the 1,500 MW [[Nathpa Jhakri Dam]].<ref name=UNCDM/>

==Transport==

[[Harshil#Karcham|Karcham-Harshil Road]], from Karcham [[National Highway 5 (India)|NH-5]] to Harshil,<ref name="nr1"/> with a road tunnel under the [[Lamkhaga Pass]],<ref>[https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/vivacity/one-step-closer.html One step closer], Daily Pioneer, 8 October 2020.</ref><ref>[https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/bro-plans-tunnels-to-ensure-all-weather-connectivity-in-eastern-ladakh-125080200925_1.html. BRO plans tunnels to ensure all-weather connectivity in eastern Ladakh], Business Standard, 2 August 2025.</ref> is under construction which will cut down present 450 km long distance, which take nearly 16 hours, to just nearly 150 km or 2 to 3 hours.<ref name="nr1">{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Amrita Nayak |date=2020-09-15 |title=Modi govt's infra push along China border — 2 new roads, alternate route to Daulat Beg Oldie |url=https://theprint.in/defence/modi-govts-infra-push-along-china-border-2-new-roads-alternate-route-to-daulat-beg-oldie/502013/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, BRO began constructing 40-km long Kharcham-[[Sangla, India|Sangla]]-[[Chitkul]] section of Karcham-Harshil Road.<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/himachal-bro-to-build-karcham-chitkul-road-along-china-border-101721039491538.html Himachal: BRO to build Karcham-Chitkul road along China border], Hindustan Ties, 15 July 2024.</ref>

==See also==

* [[Nathpa Jhakri Dam]] – situated downstream
* [[Indus Water Treaty]] - includes Sutlej river

==References==
{{GeoGroupTemplate}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Karcham Wangtoo}}
{{Hydrography of Himachal Pradesh}}
{{Sutlej dams}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dams completed in 2011]]
[[Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2011]]
[[Category:Dams in Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dams on the Sutlej River]]
[[Category:Run-of-the-river power stations]]
[[Category:Gravity dams]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kinnaur district]]
[[Category:2011 establishments in Himachal Pradesh]]