Question

Which is the highest hydroelectric dam in India?
a. Tehri Dam
b. Koyana Dam
c. Sardar Sarovar Dam
d. Bhakra Nangal Dam

Answer 1

Hint: The project takes advantage of the Western Ghats' height. A very wide hydraulic head is therefore accessible over a very short distance.

Complete solution:
The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is India's largest completed hydroelectric power plant. It is a complex four-dam project, including the largest dam on the Koyna River, Maharashtra, hence the name Koyna Hydroelectric Project. The project site is near Patan in the Satara district. The Koyna Dam is located on the Koyna River near Koynanagar village.

The project has a total capacity of 1,960 MW. The project consists of four power generation steps. In underground powerhouses excavated deep within the Western Ghats mountains, all the generators are installed. A dam foot powerhouse also leads to the production of electricity. The Koyna River is regarded as Maharashtra's lifeline because of the electricity generation potential of the project.

The project is made up of four dams, with the Koyna Dam and Kolkewadi Dam being the main contributors. The water was created by the Koyna Dam from Shiv Sagar reservoir and is used in the 1st, 2nd and 4th phases. This water is drawn from tunnels of the headrace located underneath the reservoir. Then it passes to the underground powerhouses via vertical pressure shafts. The water discharged from these stages is collected and deposited in the Kolkewadi Dam near Alore village.

Hence, the correct answer is option b.

Note:
The electricity generated is distributed to the main electrical grid in all phases. The Maharashtra State Electricity Board runs the project.