Sunday, Aug 09, 2026 21:15 [IST]
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Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, occupies a unique position in the history of power development in India. It is the oldest hydroelectric power station in both India and Asia. Situated at the foothills of the Arya Tea Estate in Sidrapong, approximately 12 km from Darjeeling town via the Bloomfield Tea Estate, the power station was commissioned on 10 November 1897 by Sir C. C. Stevens, the Acting Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. The project marked the beginning of organised electricity generation in the region and played a crucial role in the modernisation of Darjeeling during the British colonial period.
The concept of establishing the power station was conceived by the Darjeeling Municipality in 1896 to provide electric lighting for the town. Initially, the station was equipped with two 65 kW generators, giving it a total installed capacity of 130 kW. The first plant comprised two 65 kW Crompton-Brunton single-phase alternators operating at 2,300 volts and 83.3 hertz, coupled with two Gunther's turbines. Notably, this was the first power utility in India to operate on a commercial basis for public use and was established by the public sector under state patronage.
In its early years, the power station drew water from three jhoras—Kotwali, Hospital and Barbatia. As demand for electricity increased, additional generating units were installed in 1905 and 1909, expanding the station's capacity to approximately 1,000 kW by 1916. A major modernisation programme was undertaken in 1931, during which outdated equipment was replaced to improve operational efficiency.
The power station continued to serve the region for several decades before being taken over by the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) in 1978. In 1997, on the completion of its centenary, the Government of India declared the Sidrapong Hydel Power Station a Heritage Power Station. This recognition acknowledged its historical significance not only as India's pioneering hydroelectric project but also as an early demonstration of the immense potential of renewable energy resources in the Himalayan region.
Today, the station remains an important heritage site and a source of pride for Darjeeling. However, despite its historical significance, the site presently consists of a deteriorating cottage-style structure with little more than a nameplate identifying it as Asia's first hydel power station. Given its remarkable legacy, the Sidrapong Heritage Power Station has immense potential to become a major tourist attraction and could be developed into a world-class museum showcasing India's pioneering achievements in hydroelectric power generation. As the oldest hydroelectric power station in India and Asia, Sidrapong stands as an enduring milestone in the history of electricity generation and the country's early embrace of renewable energy.
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