Electricity and Power

Idukku is the district having the largest hydroelectric power potential. The Periyar river and its tributaries provide the required infrastructure for generating power. The Idukki Arch Dam is constructed across Periyar river in a narrow gorge between two granite hills (Kuravan and Kurathi hills) is the second highest in the country. Idukki the double curvature arch dam is the highest of its kind in Asia. Attached to this dam of 650 feet length and 550 feet height, two other dams are also there in Kulamavu and Cheruthony. The spillway of Idukki Reservoir is Cheruthony dam. The waterspread of Idukki Reservoir is about 60 Sq. KM and at a height of 701 Meter above mean sea level. The generators are located at Moolamattom, the underground power house beneath Nadukani hills. The Pallivasal hydroelectric project commissioned in 1939 utilising the waters of Mudirampuzha river, the important tributary of Periyar is the first power station of the State with aninstallation capacity of 13500 K.W. The Sengulam hydroelectric project is situated about 9 K.M down stream of Pallivasal Project in Mudirampuzha river 21.25 M.W Power is generated from this project. The Neriamangalam and Periyar hydroelectric Projects are the other projects. Panniyar hydroelectric project is developed on Panniyar , a tributary of Mudirampuzha river . Two Reservoirs, an upper Reservoir at Anayirankel and lower Reservoir at Ponmudi. Neriamangalam hydroelectric project utilises the tail waters of Sengulam power station and Panniyar power station and to excess catchment of Mudirampuzha river below Munnar. The power station is at Panamkutty.Lower Periyar hydroelectric project envisages utilisation of the tail waters from the existing Neriamangalam power station and the spill from Kallarkutty head works.