Idukki: As it nears its first anniversary, the Thottiyar Hydroelectric Project in Idukki district has made a significant contribution to Kerala's power sector, generating 85.76 million units of electricity so far. The project was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on October 28, 2024.

The first generator was synchronised with the grid on July 10, 2024, followed by the second on September 30, marking the start of commercial operations.

A key highlight of the Thottiyar project is its high efficiency, requiring only a minimal volume of water to run its generators. Built under a run-of-the-river scheme, the project has an installed capacity of 40 MW and targets an annual generation of 99 million units.

Located in Mannamkandam village of Devikulam taluk, the Thottiyar project draws water from the Deviyar, a tributary of the Periyar River. A 222-meter-long, 7.5-meter-high concrete diversion weir at Valara channels water through a 60-meter canal into a 199-meter tunnel bored through the Kuthirakuthi hills. 

From there, it flows through a 1,252-meter penstock pipe to the powerhouse on the right bank of the Periyar, where power is generated using 10 MW and 30 MW capacity generators. The water is then released back into the Periyar.

Electricity from the Thottiyar project is supplied through the Lower Periyar– Thottiyar and Thottiyar– Chalakudy feeders. To support the infrastructure, a 110-meter bridge was built across the Periyar near Neendappara, and 23.05 hectares of land were acquired for the project. The project was completed at a cost of ₹188 crore.