Hydro power generation may fall due to poor rainfall

With drought conditions looming large over western and southern parts of Orissa due to scanty monsoon rainfall, the hydro power generation in the state is likely to take a hit. According to the projects of state-run Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco), the hydro electric generation may fall by a third by the end of this month.

On August 11, all hydro power producing units in the state generated 921 MW as per the data of the Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC). Gridco says by the end of this month, production may come down to 590 MW.

"The condition (hydro power generation) is horrible. Daily there is power cut of 300 MW as are unable to meet our power requirement,” said a source close to the development.

Currently, the water reservoirs at Burla, Chipilima, Balimela, Rengali, Upper Kolab, Upper Indravati and Machkund are marginally above their minimum draw down (MDD) level, which is the lowest allowed level for operation of hydel units without causing any damage to the reservoir ecosystem.

The water levels at these reservoirs are, of course, much below their full reservoir level (FRL).

This is because monsoon rainfall has been erratic and deficient this year. In July, it was 40 per cent below normal, next to Jharkhand among the eastern region. Though the coastal part of Orissa received some rainfall this month due to tropical depression, the large parts of western Orissa are still under the grip of a dry spell.

Many political and farm activists in the state have raised the demand to declare the western and southern Orissa districts as drought-hit.

As all reservoirs are situated in these areas, the state irrigation department has ordered the reservoir authorities to release water for agriculture purposes, the source said.

The problem is further aggravated with the state facing problems in procuring electricity from private thermal power producers such as Sterlite Energy, the source added.

Hydro power capacity accounts for more than half of the state power need of 4, 000 MW.