Hydropower generation in Punjab has improved by almost 40% over the past month at its three main hydropower stations, according to Central Electricity Authority data

Northern Indian States have been witnessing heavy rainfall over the past two days. However, the heavy showers have been a blessing in disguise, with around 30% to 40% increase in electricity generation in States like Punjab and Uttarakhand.

According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data, cumulative energy generation from 1st July to 5th July for Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar hydro-projects has increased by 45%, 53% and 45% respectively over the same period last month.

Similarly, cumulative energy generation at Ram Ganga and Tehri reservoirs in Uttarakhand for the same period has increased by 13% and 32% respectively over the month-ago period.

In Punjab, cumulative energy generation from the Bhakra reservoir of the Bhakra Nangal dam has increased from 630.32 lakh units (LUs) between 1st June to 5th June, to 1134.25LUs for the same period in July 2010.

For the above-mentioned period, energy generation from Punjab’s Pong reservoir-based power station has increased from 73.51LUs in June to 153.96LUs in July 2010. Generation through the Ranjit Sagar reservoir has increased from 198.93LUs in June to 356.49LUs in July for the same period.

In Uttarakhand, energy generation from the Ram Ganga hydro-reservoir has increased from 22.13LUs (1st June to 5th June) to 26.48LUs for the corresponding period in July. Generation from the Tehri hydro-reservoir has increased from 330.41LUs in June to 485.59LUs in July, for the same period.

Maharashtra is another State which has enjoyed the timely onset of the monsoon. Hydropower generation at the Koyna and Bhira dams has also improved marginally. Energy generation for 1st June to 5th June compared to 1st July to 5th July has gone up by 14% at Koyna and 35% at Bhira.

Around a fortnight back, the Punjab State Power Corporation (Powercom) had decided to impose one-day power cuts on the steel-producing industry per week, in addition to 2.5 hours cuts per day in urban and rural areas. This improvement in hydropower generation should help solve the current power crisis in Punjab. As on May 2010, Punjab faced a power deficit of 8.9% or around 345 million units.

Though reservoir levels have shown signs of improvement, the present levels still need more rainfall to reach their full potential.

As on 31 March 2010, Punjab had total hydropower capacity of 2962.89MW. It plans to have around six more hydropower projects operational by the end of 2012. — Amritha Pillay