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Tamil Nadu: As dams fill up, hydro power generation rises

CHENNAI: For the first time in years, more power was generated by hydel stations in the state than thermal power plants on Saturday. In fact, green power — hydro, wind, solar and biomass — generation was close to half the total power generation in the state.

On Saturday, the total hydropower consumption was 29.232 million units while 21.620 million units from Tangedco’s thermal units were consumed. The total power consumption in the state was 306.741 million units and green power generation (hydro, wind, solar and biomass) came to 144.43 million units.

“With more water being released from Mettur dam, power generation increased on Saturday. Apart from this the dams in Niligiri districts are also generating power. The hydropower generation has exceeded that of Tangedco’s thermal units. We have most of the thermal units on standby,” said a senior Tangedco official.

Water release from Mettur was increased from 10,000 cusecs to 40,000 cusecs after the inflow into the Stanley reservoir rose to 75,000 cucecs. “Hydropower generation will continue while the water release from Mettur is maintained at this level. Since it has been raining heavily in Nilgiris district, several reservoirs are likely to release more water and this will also add to hydropower generation,” said the official.

With just a few weeks to go for the wind power season to end, the hydro generation has come in handy for Tangedco. “Our coal stocks have improved. Hydro and wind are cheap and good for the environment. We prefer wind and hydro generation at any time,” he said.

Solar power generation remains unaffected by the monsoon as the solar power projects are situated mostly in Ramanathapuram and nearby districts, which haven’t seen much rain.

The demand has come down in the last few weeks. This also helps in keeping the thermal units on standby.