• The proposed Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project is to be developed by the THDC India Ltd (THDC) on the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand with the world bank assistance of US$648 million.
• The project is expected to generate an estimated 1,665 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year to help relieve North India’s chronic power shortage.
• The 444 Megawatt Vishnugad Pipalkoti Project will also help reduce India’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1.6 million tons each year, compared to a thermal plant of the same capacity.
• Villages located high above the waterline; river not used for irrigation or for drinking water
• One-fifth of the 141.5 hectares needed acquired from local villagers; rest is government or forest land

• One of the first hydropower projects in the country with environmental sustainability and minimal impacts

• No house or field lost to submergence.
• Free electricity to affected households for 10 years.
• One percent of project revenues for local area development.

• The power generated by the Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project will feed into India’s Northern Grid, benefiting consumers in the states of north India and improving the availability of power at reasonable cost to those who currently have limited or no access to electricity.
• The Project will also provide the state of Uttarakhand with a royalty of 12 percent of the power generated, which is estimated to be around Rs. 90 crore every year.
• The low-interest loan, from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), has a six-year grace period, and a maturity of 29 years.