Copious rain drives hydropower generation in TN to a new high

Significantly, in less than four months, the hydropower stations working round-the-clock have generated nearly triple the amount of power generated during the same period last year.

“From April 1 to July 11 this year, the hydropower generated was 921.161 million units compared to 341.40 million units during the corresponding period last year,” said a top Tangedco official from Chennai.

The hydropower generation has peaked at 1,100 MW following heavy rainfall in the state. “Currently, hydropower is generated round-the-clock from powerhouses in Kundah, Pykkara, Pillur and Mullai Periyar. Hydropower units in the Nilgiris play a major role in hydropower generated across the state,” added the official.

While the total installed capacity of all hydropower stations across Tamil Nadu is 2307.9 MW, the hydropower stations in the Nilgiris alone have a generation capacity of 833 MW. Of that, the Kundah power units in the Nilgiris have an installed capacity of 540 MW and they now produce about 200 MW of power during peak time.

Yet, the dams are not generating power to their maximum capacity. “Hydropower is currently generated only from surplus water discharged from the dams. There is no need to operate the units at their maximum capacity as the grid demand is low. Our focus now is to store water for generation when the demand surges in the coming months,” said a Tangedco official attached to the Kundah station.

Currently, hydropower is produced mainly during peak hours from 6 am to 10 am and from 6 pm to 10 pm. The dams in the Nilgiris which have a total holding capacity of 14 TMC are almost 50 per cent full with 6.8 TMC of water.

With discharge from Karnataka reservoirs going up steadily, the power generation in Mettur dam, which is filling up fast, is also likely to commence once it is opened for irrigation in the delta regions.