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Production at hydro power stations in Odisha has gone up by more than 200 Mw to 1,400 Mw during peak hours in comparison to March daily average output, as peak power demand in the state has been rising matching with soaring mercury levels.

The peak power demand in the state for April has been around 3,680 Mw, up from 3,400 Mw recorded in the previous month, as per State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) data. The rise in demand has been attributed mainly due to more usage of air conditioners and refrigerators because of rising mercury level and heat wave witnessed in the state in last few weeks. Though thermal power generation in the state also increased by around 100 Mw to 775 Mw in the same time to support peak power demand, it was hydro generation that primarily provided the support.

"We have sufficient water levels at state reservoirs to generate more than 1,500 Mw average output every day for next three months. However, we will look for more hydropower when there is a drop in thermal power output," said an official of Gridco Ltd, the state-run power trading agency.

Gridco is currently drawing around 900 Mw power from Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) per day to meet the 24-hour average demand of 3,200 Mw. Its mix of thermal power supplies include 760 Mw from state thermal generation, 640 Mw from captive power producers and 850 Mw from its share allocated in the Central power generation.

OHPC was blessed with more-than-expected rainfalls last year due to late monsoon rains and low-pressure induced rains. By December 2013, it surpassed its annual target of 5676 million unit (MU)backed by reservoirs with sufficient water storage.

According data provided by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) while worst-hit Ganjam received 740 mm rainfall during and after the tropical cyclone Phailin, compared with 111 mm normal rainfall, Odisha received 277 Percent  higher rainfall than normal in October. Major reservoirs of the state which are located at Koraput, Malkangiri and south of Bhawanipatna districts, received enough water to generate record power generation. Following the rainfall in October last year, the hydro generation zoomed to 1,200 Mw. However, later the output was regulated to 500 Mw as part of the water was released for irrigation purposes during the winter crop season. The officials of Gridco said drawal from hydro power stations would be limited to 1000 Mw as water would also be released for kharif season crops. However, in case of emergency the average output could be pushed to 1500 Mw.

Source-On Request