Idukki hydel project generates 115,852.672 MU in last 50 years

As the Idukki hydroelectric project, the State’s largest hydel power project, marks a historic 50-year milestone on Thursday (February 12, 2026), the Moolamattom power plant has recorded a total generation of 115,852.672 million units (MU) over the past five decades.

Viju Rajan John, chief engineer of the Kerala State Electricity Board Limited’s (KSEB) generation wing at the Moolamattom powerhouse, told The Hindu that the project’s first phase, consisting of three 130 MW generators, was commissioned in 1976. “The initially commissioned generators alone contributed 69,767.445 MU to that total. The second phase, featuring the fourth, fifth, and sixth generators was installed in 1986, bringing the total capacity of the Idukki hydel project to 780 MW,” Mr. John said.

According to Mr. John, the current average cost of power generation at the Idukki project is exceptionally low, sitting below 12 to 17 paise per unit. To coincide with the 50-year anniversary, renovation work on the original phase one generators has already been completed. Officials also noted that on July 15, 2020, the Moolamattom plant hit a historic milestone of generating one lakh million units of power.

Power surplus

The Idukki project fundamentally shifted the landscape of Kerala’s power sector. At the time of its commissioning, the project created a power surplus, prompting the government to offer subsidies to high-volume users.

“After the project was commissioned, the government invited industries to the State by offering power security, which led to significant industrial arrival,” an official stated. Beyond electricity, the project ensures drinking water and irrigation for thousands of families in Idukki, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts through the Malankara dam.

The project also transformed the geography of the hilly Idukki district. The construction led to the opening of the Thodupuzha-Puliyanmala State highway and the Neriamangalam-Cheruthoni road, which established vital connectivity for the region. Now, the Idukki dam is one of the major tourist attractions in the State and draws lakhs of tourists every year.

One enduring symbol of the project’s engineering prowess is the Cheruthoni low-lying bridge. Built in the 1960s, it gained national attention during the 2018 floods.

“When the sluice gates were opened in August 2018 to release excess water, smaller bridges across the district were washed away. However, the Cheruthoni bridge remained intact without any damage,” an official noted.

The project’s history also includes the displacement of early settlers. The installation of the reservoir resulted in the submergence of Ayyappankovil, once a major town in the high range. In his book Idukki Desham Charithram Samskaram, historian Manoj Mathirappally noted that Ayyappankovil had emerged as a bustling hub for migrants from central Travancore. The subsequent eviction of the town sparked major protests, led by late communist leader A.K. Gopalan.