Heavy flood received by major projects in the Krishna basin during the present month, August, has not only assured water for irrigation for two crops for the ayacut this year but it has also helped the Telangana State Power Generation Corporation (TS-Genco) to generate a record amount of energy at its hydro-electric (hydel) stations.
According to the officials of TS-Genco, the hydel generation this (financial) year was 737.15 million units (MU) till August 24, including 691.4 MU, during August itself with another week left for generating more energy to meet the State’s needs at the lowest generation costs. “Hydel generation has also helped us supply power to Karnataka and Punjab with an understanding and on the basis of availing back when needed later this year,” said a Genco official.
From a situation of empty reservoirs even on the last day of July, the flood has filled all the major reservoirs in the basin and, in fact, over 306 tmc ft water has also gone waste into the sea from Prakasam Barrage. The official explained that August last year was the best month in recent years in terms of hydel generation when 677.7 MU was generated. However, this August has proved to be even better with generation taking place at six hydel stations.
The hydel generation at Jurala was started on July 30, a day later at Jurala lower station, and from August 4 at Srisailam left bank power house. As the flood started filling Nagarjunasagar, it was also started later at Nagarjunasagar, NS Left Canal and Pulichintala power houses.
The official explained that total hydel generation during 2015-16 was only 284.76 MU followed by 1,305.8 MU in 2016-17, 1,519.2 MU in 2017-18 and 1,751.7 MU in 2018-19. Even in terms of month-wise generation, this August is the best during the last four years. “The hydel power has helped the power utilities meet the demand hovering over 200 MU constantly after August 15, including the peak demand of power of over 10,000 MW for about a week with ease,” said the official.