District Collector A. Siri recently conducted a thorough inspection of the groundbreaking Greenko Integrated Renewable Energy Project, located at Gummitham Tanda in Orvakal mandal this Tuesday. She took the opportunity to engage directly with project officials, discussing the current advancements and overall progress.
Ch. Srinivas Rao, the Project Director, provided a comprehensive overview of the Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP). He emphasized its unique status as the world’s first and largest pumped storage initiative, boasting an impressive 1680 MW capacity. This is seamlessly integrated with an additional 4,000 MW from solar and 1,000 MW from wind sources, strategically spread across Kurnool and Nandyal districts, culminating in a total renewable energy capacity of 6680 MW.
The Collector’s inquiries focused on crucial aspects such as the generation and pumping mechanisms, as well as the land requirements for both ongoing and future developmental phases. Following the briefing, Ms. Siri embarked on an extensive site tour, commencing her observation of the Pumped Storage Project (PSP) components at the tail race channel.
During her visit, Ms. Siri received detailed explanations regarding the intake structures, the substantial water requirement of 2.35 tmcft, the significant elevation differences between the project’s reservoirs, and the innovative reuse of excavated materials for the construction of geo-membrane faced rockfill dams. She was particularly impressed by the efficient water flow through the intake structures and lauded the sophisticated engineering solutions implemented.
Inside the powerhouse, the Collector engaged in discussions with the engineers, delving into the intricacies of turbine operations, head differences, and the precise configuration of the eight Francis turbines (comprising six 240 MW units and two 120 MW units). She personally walked through and inspected both the turbine and generator floors, gaining a firsthand understanding of the machinery.
Her tour continued to the upper reservoir, where she also observed the adjacent 700 MW Pinnapuram solar facility. Conversations here covered the specifics of solar module capacities, the meticulous procedures for erecting wind towers, and the projected timelines for these critical installations.
Ms. Siri meticulously examined the penstocks and upper intake structures, showing a keen interest in how water is channeled through the entire powerhouse Penstock system. She urged project officials to prioritize the timely completion of all works, ensuring strict adherence to both quality and safety standards. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of efficient land utilization and proactively addressing any local community concerns.
Concluding her busy schedule, Collector Siri also paid a visit to the Jai Raj Ispat Steel Plant, situated in Guttapadu village within Orvakal mandal, where she met and interacted with the management.