Rains improve hydel power generation

With widespread rains across Odisha, water level in all the major rivers is increasing, much to the relief of the State Government.

The increased hydro position in the reservoirs has enabled the Government to generate more hydel power during peak hours, when the demand for power is more than 2,900 MW.

The State continued to rely on the captive generating power plants as its share from the Central pool is about 400 MW less. The State is getting about 650 MW from the Central pool as against the normal allocation of 1,050 MW, forcing it to go for overdrawal.

While five units of NTPC, with a combined generating capacity of 1,900 MW, are out of the Eastern Grid, three units of the national power behemoth have been shut down for more than two weeks due to shortage of coal. A 500 MW unit of NTPC’s Kanhia plant has become defunct due to tube leakage, Gridco sources said.

The thermal power generation of the State was about 580 MW as a 110 MW unit of the Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS) is under annual maintenance. A subsidiary of NTPC, TTPS, having total generation capacity of 460 MW, is fully dedicated to the State.

The water level of all the major reservoirs, except Rengali, are a notch above compared to the hydro position this time last year. The Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) is utilising the reservoir water judiciously.

Six of the seven units of Burla hydro power station, with a capacity of 275.5 MW, are generating nearly 190 MW.

Meanwhile, nine gates of Hirakud reservoir were opened as more rainwater is gushing into the reservoir.

Though the water level of Rengali is two metres below the level compared with last year, the hydel power station is supplying more than 180 MW as against its capacity of 250 MW. One unit of the hydel station was kept idle.

The Indravati hydel power station, having a generating capacity of 600 MW, is also kept idle to preserve the water. The water level in the reservoir is five metres above the level compared with last year.

The Indravati and Rengali hydro power stations are considered to be the mainstay of hydel power.

The hydro position of Balimela and Upper Kolab reservoirs are also above the level compared with last year. Balimela and Upper Kolab hydel stations, with a capacity to generate 510 MW and 320 MW respectively, are generating nearly 145 MW and 180 MW respectively.