Hydel power plants in Karnataka to be idle following weak monsoon

A file photograph of Supa dam in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district. Supa dam is without doubt one of the three main hydel energy producing dams in Karnataka.
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

A weak southwest monsoon has led to low water ranges in reservoirs this 12 months, in flip impacting energy technology in hydel dams.

The cumulative water storage in three main hydel dams is barely 43.75% of their capability, forcing Karnataka Energy Company Restricted to go for thermal power and preserve the accessible water for the approaching summer season. In 2022, the State obtained good rains. Through the corresponding interval final 12 months, the three main hydel reservoirs recorded a cumulative storage of 77.88%.

Linganamakki dam, Supa dam and Mani dam are the three main hydel reservoirs for power manufacturing in Karnataka. As on October 21, the entire storage accessible was adequate to generate 3,997 MU (million models) of energy. That is towards 7,050 MU on at the present time final 12 months.

Information on main hydel energy dams in Karnataka (2022 in brackets)

m = metre | TMC = thousand million cubic toes | MU = million models

Folks complaining of energy cuts

There have been complaints of frequent energy cuts throughout Karnataka. Farmers have hit the streets demanding energy provide, as they’re discovering it tough to safeguard standing crops attributable to scanty rainfall. As a result of drought, the demand for energy has elevated.

On the similar time, energy technology has suffered. As of now, the demand is round 15,000 MW to 16,000 MW, up from 9,000 MW to 10,000 MW final 12 months. 

The Sharavathi Valley Mission, which has 4 power-generating stations with a complete capability of 1,469 MW, is without doubt one of the main sources of electrical energy for Karnataka. As on October 21the water within the dam was solely 66.80 TMC, which is 44.02% of the entire capability. With the accessible storage, 2,006 MU will be generated.

Outlook for subsequent 150 days

“We are able to generate energy roughly for subsequent 150 days with the accessible storage,” mentioned Uday Nayak, Chief Engineer (Operation and Upkeep), KPCL.

Final 12 months on at the present time, there was adequate storage to generate 4,065 MU. The water degree reached its most degree within the dam 4 occasions final 12 months. The earlier event it was full was in 2019-20.

The water storage at Supa dam (Kali Valley venture) and Mani dam (Varahi Valley venture) has additionally come down.

With the accessible storage, just one,651 MU will be generated in Supa dam. Final 12 months, the dam was stuffed to 72.25% of capability, and the storage was adequate to generate 2,283 MU.

In Mani, the water degree is barely 34.98% of the dam’s capability. The current storage is adequate to generate 340 MU. Final 12 months, this time, the water degree was 72.22% of capability, and 703 MU could possibly be generated with the accessible storage.

Conserving water for coming summer season

The KPCL has determined to preserve water within the dams for technology in summer season. 

M.C. Divakar, Director (Technical) of Karnataka Energy Company Restricted, instructed The Hindu, “Contemplating the water degree within the dams, the technology was being managed, preserving in thoughts demand within the coming days. We’re going for thermal power quite than hydel, as of now. We’re conserving water for the approaching summer season, which is the time when college students face examinations.”