BBMB Goes Kinetic: India’s First 1 MW Canal Power Project

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) is set to commission India’s first megawatt-scale hydrokinetic power project at the Nangal Hydel Canal, marking a major step in clean energy innovation.

The pilot project will comprise four surface-mounted hydrokinetic turbines of 250 kW each, taking the total installed capacity to 1 MW. The turbines are being supplied and commissioned by Maclec, with BBMB procuring the generated power at ₹3.39 per unit, making it competitive with other renewable energy sources. BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi described the initiative as path-breaking, highlighting its ability to generate electricity from flowing canal water without disturbing river ecology.

While the project has faced objections from Punjab regarding power generation on canals within its jurisdiction, BBMB has clarified that the electricity produced will be shared among Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. Hydrokinetic power is expected to complement solar and wind energy by offering more predictable generation within irrigation networks.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.