Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), which was mandated by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to produce 5,676 million unit (MU) hydropower in the current fiscal, has surpassed its annual target and aims to generate 1,000 MU more by the end of March 2014.
“As of 14 January, we have produced 6,004 MU, higher than our target of 5,676 MU. Considering current reservoir positions, we can generate nearly 500 MU more by end of March,” said Santosh Sahu, director (finance) of the state government undertaking.
The rise in power generation was supported by low pressure-induced rains that lashed the southern part of the state towards the fag end of monsoon season that ended in October 2013. As a result, major reservoirs, which are located at Koraput , Malkanagiri and south of Bhawanipatna districts, have ample water to generate record power generation.
Major reservoirs of the state, which supply water to these plants are near their highest level, OHPC website updates showed. Balimela reservoir currently has water at 1508 feet, out of its maximum carrying capacity at 1516 feet, while Mukhiguda reservoir contains 641.8 feet high water, against carrying capacity of 642 feet. Bariniput reservoir, which has a maximum capacity of 858 feet , now has 855.6 feet water in it.
Total hydro power generation, which was around 1200 Mw per day in November however, has come down to 500 Mw average per day as water is being used for irrigation of winter crops from the reservoirs.
Largest power plant Balimela generated about 165 Mw electricity , while Upper Indravati produced 114 Mw power on an average by the second week of January. Hydro power generation at Upper Kolab power station was around 70 Mw by mid-January, data showed.
Balimela has the capacity to produce 510 Mw, Upper Indravati 600 Mw and Kolab can produce 320 Mw electricity.
OHPC said higher generation means more profit for the company, which could jump by as much as 50% to Rs 75 crore.
“During 2012-13, our profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 47 crore. This year we are expecting Rs 75 crore due to higher power generation,” said Sahu.
As per OERC guidelines and agreement signed with Gridco, the hydro power producer has to sell additional power generation at half of the agreed rate. For 2012-13, rate of average power sold by OHPC has been fixed at 70 paise per unit upto sell of 5676 Mu power. Any power sold beyond the targeted generation has to be sold at not more than 35 paise.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said while worst-hit Ganjam received 740 mm rainfall during and after the tropical cyclone Phailin, causing flood situation in the district, compared with 111 mm normal rainfall, Odisha received 277% higher rainfall than normal in October.
Odisha needs about 3,000 Mw power in summer season. Hydro power production, which is at 500 Mw now, can rise to 1000 Mw in summer, the state-run power generator said. “The current water availability will be sufficient for summer demand of 2014,” said the OHPC official.
