The hydropower generation plants in Odisha are in for a tougher time with almost all the reservoirs going dry, resulting in a possible deficit power supply.
The situation has become so grim that all the hydropower plants managed to generate only 5 percent of their combined capacity on June 21.
The Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), which operates all the hydropower units in the State, has its hands tied as the dearth of water in the reservoirs has rendered their turbines useless.
As per reports, the combined capacity of seven mega hydropower plants is 2099.5 MW while a meager 94.54 MW could be generated on June 21, which is less than 5 percent of the total capacity.
Sources said, the Balimela Hydro Electrical Project (BHEP) in Malkangiri which has a peak generation of 510 MW, generated only 35 MWs on Tuesday. While the reservoir had 1466 ft of water level on this day last year, on Wednesday, it recorded a water level of 1445 ft.
Similarly, 600 MW Upper Indravati Hydro Electric Project (UIHEP) at Mukhiguda, Kalahandi and 320 MW Upper Kolab Hydro Electric Project near Jeypore in Koraput were completely shut down on Tuesday thanks to dwindling reservoirs.
While the reservoirs still have some juices left to generate power, they could not do so because the remaining water in the dams is being used for irrigation.
When asked, the Chief Construction Engineer (CCE) of the UIHEP, Anil Panigrahi said, “Whatever water we currently have in the reservoir will last one more month if we continue to irrigate farmlands. We will have to hope for a good monsoon shortly to replenish the reservoir by then.”
Asish Kumar Mohanty, Director (Operations), OHPC said, “We did not have sufficient rainfall last year because of which our reservoirs are on the brink of drying up. A good monsoon this year is the only hope, following which power generation can be normalised.”
While Monsoon is currently active in Odisha, the amount of rainfall is still 38 per cent less than normal. So, it will be immature to say the same situation will not arise this year too.