Power demand for lift irrigation to cross 6.5 GW

The power demand to operate lifts and pump houses under various lift irrigation projects in Telangana is all set to cross a record high of

6,500 MW this year.

The irrigation department has to submit the requirement indent to power utilities every year before the onset of monsoon to enable these utilities to make arrangements via pacts with power producers. This is required also to get approval from the TS Electricity Regulatory Commission by incorporating it in the annual aggregate revenue (ARR) for Discoms.

The irrigation department which submitted the power indent to power utilities last week has estimated the total power consumption this year at 6,520 MW, which is higher over the last year’s estimate of 5,900 MW. Of the estimated

6,520 MW, a major chunk of 4,720 MW is required for the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. Official sources in the irrigation department said several pending lift irrigation projects are nearing completion. Besides, new reservoirs under Kaleshwaram would be ready soon and this would contribute to the surge in power demand this year.

This year, the Mallana

Sagar reservoir of 50tmc capacity and the Basvapur reservoir of

11.39tmc capacity under Kaleshwaram project will be ready. It was also decided to fill the Konda Pochamma reservoir of

14tmc capacity under Kaleshwaram this year. This translates to the lifting of about 120tmcs from Medigadda to Basvapur reservoirs. Added to this, the canal works under all major reservoirs are nearing completion. The Kaleshwaram water is being supplied to SRSP ayacut.

Taking all these factors into account, officials estimated that about

300tmcs would be lifted under the Kaleshwaram project. To lift water of this magnitude, it requires operation of 71 motors from Medigadda to Yellampali, for which

3,049 MW of power is required. Another 1,672 MW is required to operate 28 motors to supply water to downstream Basvapur reservoir.

Officials estimated that 607 motors would run for four months this rainy season, for which

6,520 MW of power is required. The other lift projects which contribute to increased power demand include the Devadula, Dindi, Palamur-Rangareddy, Kalwakurthy, Bima, Nettampadu, Alisagar, AMRP and Koilsagar projects, for which an estimated 1,500 MW is required.