Hydropower generation goes down due to low water level of reservoirs

RUPNAGAR: With the end of normal filling season on September 20, the low water level in the reservoirs of northern region is a cause of concern for power sector as hydro generation in the region has gone down substantially.

The water level at the Bhakra dam on the last day of filling season was 1,651.25 ft, as per the data available with the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC). The level at the dam was 1651.57 ft on September 17 and the depletion started thereafter. The maximum filling limit of the dam is 1,680 ft and thus it is

short of 28.43 feet.

In case of the Pong dam, the level is 1,376.71 ft on September 20 and the maximum filling was achieved at 1,377.36 ft on September 16, against a limit of 1,390 ft.

At Ranjit Sagar reservoir, the water level is 520.31 m against the maximum permissible limit of 527.91 m. In case of the Tehri dam project of 1,000 MW on the Bhagirathi in Uttrakhand, the level is 824.8 m against a limit of 830 m.

“Hydro power is mainly used for peaking purposes. There may be problems in providing peak hour power in the northern region due to lower water level in reservoirs. It may also be difficult to meet irrigation requirement of northern states due to lower water level,” said All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) chief patron Padamjit Singh.

The monsoon is tapering off with a reduced trend of inflows at Sutlej (Bhakra dam), Beas (Pong dam) and Ravi (Ranjit Sagar). Though September 20 is considered the normal date of filling season end, this year the depletion has started a few days earlier.