Acute shortage of water has affected power generation at the hydel power plant in Almatti dam which has generated the lowest quantum of electricity this year from its day of operation.
According to the officials, the plant has generated 146 million units of power in the 2015-16 financial year (till march-end). In the previous financial year, the plant had generated 478 million units as against the target of 494 million units. The plant started functioning in 2005 from all six units. “ The plant has generated the least power this financial year from the day of its operation in 2005 due to scanty rains and depleting water-level in the reservoir,” an official said.
The power generation capacity is directly based on the quantum of water that is discharged through the dam’s crest gates to the plant.
Of the six, four units had suspended its operation from October last year as Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Ltd. stopped discharging water to the plant due to water shortage.
While the total power generation capacity of the plant is 290 MW, five units generate 55 MW each and one generates 15 MW of power.
“The last unit generates power till the water-level in the dam reaches 506.70 mt, while the reaming five units become operational only when the water-level crosses 509 mt. The six units can generate power to the maximum capacity only when at least 42,000 cusecs of water is released from all the crest gates of the dam from a height of 519.6 mt.,” the official said.
The plant generated the highest power of 664 million units in 2007-08, and the lowest of 418 million units in 2012-13 financial year.
But this year, it has broken even that record by generating a mere 146 million units, the official said.
