Punjab on tight leash as hydro generation down
Wednesday, 22/08/2012
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=45773&boxid=57912&uid=&dat=2012-08-22
Patiala: High silt levels because of rains in the catchment areas have forced closure of Nathpa Jhakri, Karcham-Wangtoo, Chamera II, and Chamera III hydro-power projects temporarily leading to a shortfall in hydro power generation.
In view of this dip in hydro power generation, Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) has advised the northern states to restrict drawl of power for smooth operation of grid as three hydro power plants which supply about 2,954 MW of electricity to the region have been shut down temporarily.
According to the NRLDC website, the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri, 1,000 MW Karcham-Wangtoo, 300 MW Chamera II and 231 MW Chamera III hydro-power projects have been shut temporarily due to high silt levels in water. There is shortfall of more than 3,000 MW supply to Northern Grid due to non-generation by the three hydro projects.
The share of Punjab is 54.47 MW from Chamera I, 27.64 MW from Chamera II. 25.49 MW from Chamera III and 194 MW from Naphtha Jhakri hydro projects (NJPC). The share of Haryana is 84 MW from Chamera I, 19 MW from Chamera II, 20 MW from Chamera III and 102 Mw from NJPC.
In Punjab 210 MW unit 2 of Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant has been shut down following boiler leakage .The unit is likely to be revived on Wednesday. One 110 MW unit at Bathinda Thermal Plant is also under shut down due to coal mill problems for the last one week. Punjab’s own generation on Tuesday was around 2,769 MW.
The power shortage in Punjab is 271 lakh units and power supply is 1,711 lakh units. The thermal generation in state is 495 lakh units. The minimum power cuts in various cities varies from three to five hours daily .Important cities face three-hour power cuts while other cities face cuts of more than five hours.
In Haryana, 600 MW Khedar unit 1 running at full load tripped on Tuesday. The 660 MW units at Jhajjar thermal plant is under forced shut down due to coal handling problem for the last 12 days. The authorities hope to revive the unit on Wednesday. The power shortage in state is 185 lakh units while thermal generation on Monday was 653 lakh units.
