The grid failures that resulted in power outages across 21 states on July 30 and 31 have led to a renewed focus on hydro capacity addition, which can help address demand-supply issues.
The share of hydro power to the country’s overall power generation capacity has fallen from 45 per cent in 1980 to 20 per cent.
A report by a committee probing the grid failures, headed by Central Electricity Authority Chairman A S Bakshi, stated over-drawing by states despite repeated warnings, the consequent over-loading of lines taking power from the western to the northern region and voltage relays were some reasons behind the grid failures.
A Velayutham, member of the Bakshi committee and a former member of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission, told Business Standard, “Addition of more hydro/pumped storage hydro power plants may help improve frequency control and grid operation. The frequency of operation band needs to be further tightened and the system shall have to be operated at 50 Hz.”
Jayant Kawale, managing director, Jindal Power (hydro & renewable), said, “A more lasting solution, however, needs to be found by specifically developing those sources of generation that match seasonal load variations.”
With more than 50,000 Mw of generation potential in Arunachal Pradesh alone, development of hydro power in the North-east would not only take care of the entire requirement of that region, but also significantly add to the capacity of the rest of the country in a manner suitable to the overall grid stability. Large capacity high-voltage direct current lines have already been planned by PowerGrid Corporation of India, with a few pooling stations to efficiently transmit the power. The new point-of-connection transmission regime also favours generation assets in far-flung areas.”
Anjan Roy, former executive director of PowerGrid Corporation, agreed. He said as demand for power was rising, harnessing the hydro potential of the northeast could be considered.
“To harness this capacity, we may require a very strong ultra high-voltage corridor (UHVC) right up to the door steps of northern states. This would also involve employment of smart grid techniques for the security of the system. A permanent solution in the long term can best be achieved by harnessing the hydro potential. However, we have to address the right-of-way concern while laying the UHVC,” he stated.
