Overview
Bhawani Kattalai -III is a 30 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Tamil Nadu, India. It contributes to the region's renewable energy capacity.
Bhawani Kattalai -III is a hydroelectric power plant located in Tamil Nadu, India, with an installed capacity of 30 MW. As a renewable energy facility, it plays a role in the state's power generation mix, which includes a significant share of hydroelectric and other renewable sources. The plant operates under India's regulatory framework for hydropower, which includes environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and compliance with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) technical standards. India's hydropower sector is governed by the Electricity Act, 2003, and the National Electricity Policy, which promote renewable energy development. Bhawani Kattalai -III contributes to the local grid, supporting electricity supply for residential, agricultural, and industrial consumers in the region. Its operation as a run-of-river or reservoir-based facility (typical for Indian hydro plants) helps manage peak demand and provides grid stability. The plant's capacity is considered small to medium by Indian standards, where large hydro projects exceed 100 MW.
Environmental context
Hydroelectric power generation has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel plants, but can affect local aquatic ecosystems and water flow regimes. The Bhawani Kattalai -III plant is located in the Cauvery River basin, an ecologically sensitive area. Its operation may influence downstream water availability and fish migration patterns. Environmental management measures typically include maintaining minimum environmental flows and fish passage facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Bhawani Kattalai -III is located in Tamil Nadu, India, near the coordinates 11.2428° N, 77.8659° E.
The plant has an installed capacity of 30 megawatts (MW).
It is a hydroelectric power plant, generating electricity from flowing water.
Hydroelectric plants in India must comply with the Electricity Act, 2003, and obtain environmental clearance from the MoEFCC. They also follow CEA technical standards and state-level water use regulations.
The plant supplies renewable electricity to the Tamil Nadu grid, supporting peak demand and providing clean energy to residential, agricultural, and industrial consumers.