No power cut in Odisha during summer

All major reservoirs of state have comfortable water levels, much higher than MDDL or critical level at which water cannot be used for power generation purposes

The Odisha government is confident of avoiding power cuts in the state banking on sufficient generation of hydro power during summer months.

"The reservoirs have sufficient water levels due to better rains last year. Even if there is a delay in monsoon onset, we can maintain the water levels till July 30. If it does not rain after that, there might be some problem," said Suresh Kumar Mohapatra, energy secretary with the Odisha government.

All major reservoirs of the state have comfortable water levels, much higher than MDDL or critical level at which water cannot be used for power generation purposes, according to Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) website. Data provided by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) showed in the July-September monsoon period last year, Odisha had recorded 4 per cent deficit than normal rainfall, versus 12 per cent shortfall across the country. Major reservoirs of the state, which are located in Koraput, Malkanagiri and south of Bhawanipatna, received enough water to generate record units of power.

The Southwest monsoon, which usually reaches the country's coast around June 1, takes about two weeks to advance to Odisha. The IMD today said, monsoon this year will reach on time and rainfall would be less than normal, after analysing weather models. State-run power trader Gridco is currently drawing about 700 Mw power from OHPC per day to meet the 24-hour average demand of 3200 Mw, while the rest of the demand is met from thermal power generation. Its mix of thermal power supplies include 760 Mw from state thermal generation, 640 Mw from captive power producers and 850 Mw from its share allocated in the Central power projects. The government hopes hydro power generation could go up to 1,400 Mw this summer and assured that there may not be any power cut in the evening because of shortage of hydro power production.

However, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has already raised electricity charges for this fiscal, saying it was necessitated because of payments of old dues to NTPC and insufficient generation of cheaper hydro power. Hydro power rates are much cheaper compared with expensive coal-fired electricity generation. Gridco usually buys around 15 per cent of its total power requirement from hydro power sources.