Upswing in Hydel Power Generation

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has ramped up production at its hydel stations in the state with reservoirs receiving better inflow during the past week and power consumption showing no signs of coming down.

 Starting July 23 (Monday), daily hydel generation has been increased to between 15 and 18 million units (MU).

This is a major improvement from the previous week when the hydel share in the daily power supply had to be curtailed to eight to nine million units due to poor monsoon rains.

The hydel share dipped below 16 MU only on two days last week  - 15.17 MU on Wednesday and 15.18 MU on Saturday. On all other days, hydel generation stood above 16 MU, KSEB officials said.

But in spite of the increase in hydel generation, the major portion of the daily supply, to the tune of around 34 MU,  still continues to be met from the central pool quota and power purchases.

For instance, of the total 19.68 MU generated in the state on July 28, Saturday, hydel power accounted for 15.18 MU.

But the total demand state-wide on the day was 56.28 MU, which was made up through the central quota, purchases from NTPC’s Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project at Kayamkulam and traders outside the state.