BHUBANESWAR: The State is passing through a traumatic phase of too much and too less rainfall. With flood playing havoc in some areas and drought looming large in other parts, the current low pressure-induced torrential rains don’t seem to have improved the overall hydro position in major reservoirs.The State badly required a comfortable water level in five reservoirs __ Balimela, Indravati, Upper Kolab, Hirakud and Rengali __ having power generating stations.A full reservoir level will ensure better power position during summer when demand for electricity is high.With an installed capacity of 2,085 MW, hydro power is the backbone of the State as it meets peak demand.These stations can generate power up to 1,600 MW provided the water level in the reservoirs is comfortable.While Hirakud and Rengali are full to the capacity with flood water gushing in, water level in the other three reservoirs is much below the full reservoir level (FRL).These units together have generating capacity of 1,430 MW.Water level at Balimela is nearly 60 feet below the FRL of 1,516 feet. The generating capacity of Balimela hydro station is 510 MW. The water level in Upper Kolab reservoir is 848.21 metres while the full capacity level of the dam is 858 metres. The station here has generating capacity of 320 MW.Indravati, with a generating capacity of 600 MW, provides maximum peaking power. The present water level in the reservoir is 630 metres. The full reservoir level of the dam is 642 metres.The average generation from the three major hydro power stations is 250-300 MW, sources in the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) said.With water overflowing in Hirakud and Rengali, the hydro power stations there are generating maximum power.With an installed capacity of 275 MW, the Burla power station is producing more than 175 MW.The peak power demand of the State is about 3,300 MW while the average demand during the off-peak is about 2,800 MW.On an average, the State is getting 700 MW hydro power, the sources said.
Comments
0 comment