The Hindu Business Line : Excess rainfall disrupts hydel power generation

WHILE the monsoons have spruced up the overall generation of hydro electric power, the copious rains in the catchments areas of a number of the larger power projects, combined with heavy silting of rivers, have paradoxically led to disruption of power generation in large hydel projects in the west and northern parts of the country.

According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data, the reservoir levels across the country are at record high due to the good monsoons, much higher when compared to the corresponding period last year. In fact, present levels are close to the full reservoir levels in some of the larger reservoirs.

Correspondingly, hydro generation by State sector projects was up 10.4 per cent at 17,010.01 million units (between April 1 and August 3), against the projections made for the period.

This comes at a time when there was a 4.8 per cent slippage in thermal generation by State sector projects. Hydro generation by Central projects was also marginally up by 1.5 per cent during the period, when compared to the target at 14,819.41 million units, while generation by private projects was up 25 per cent against the target.

While the story so far has been positive, the heavy rain continuing to lash several parts of the country is beginning to take its toll in some of the areas as rising reservoir levels are forcing utilities to suspend power generation to avoid release of water into already flooded areas. This is especially so in the case of projects in Maharashtra and Gujarat. For instance, power generation at the 1,920-MW Koyna project has been suspended to avoid release of water into the flooded Chiplun area of Ratnagiri district of the Konkan region.

In the North, heavy rains combined with the melting Himalayan snow has resulted in heavy silting in rivers, along with the problem of rising levels.

The 1,500-MW Nathpa Jhakri power plant in Himachal Pradesh was completely shut down for nearly a month till mid-July, initially due to the flood warning and subsequently due to high silt content in the Satluj river.

"The good monsoons have resulted in higher generation in most stations till the beginning of August. However, some of the stations where water levels were high on account of incessant rains are being temporarily shut down as a precaution. Generation at most of the plant should be back to normal once the threat of flooding is mitigated and silt content comes down to permissible levels. We are also keeping a watch on the reservoir levels," a Power Ministry official said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Excess rainfall disrupts hydel power generation — Floods, heavy silting create problems

Forex reserves surge by $3 b

SBI to raise Rs 3,000-cr tier-II capital: Purwar

Private equity firms — profit-booking to the fore in first six months

AI fleet repairs to be carried out abroad

Small investors cash out — Public holding down in most Nifty companies