KSEB steps down power generation from Idukki dam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the monsoon rains play truant in catchment areas of Idukki hydro-electric project, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has switched to a conservative mode on using the water in the largest hydel reservoir in the state.
The board, which had been generating up to 10mu/day of electricity from the dam, has cut down the generation to below 4mu/day. The water storage in the reservoir as on July 8 is only 31%. “Due to the shortage of rain in the catchment area, there was a 33% dip in the water inflow than the board anticipated for the month.The water usage from the dam is directly linked to the inflow of water and generation of power from there. Unless we prudently use the water in the dam, it would be hard for the state to tide over the next summer,” senior officials said.
The officials said the board would be periodically monitoring the water level in the dam and the decision to cut down or ramp up the power generation would be analogous with the rule curve adopted with regard to the permissible water storage level on each given day. Historical data show that Idukki dam generally gets the highest inflow of water during the month of July. If the water level rises up substantially with the increase in the inflow, the board would increase power generation.
The average water storage level of KSEB dams in the state is 25%, with most of the dams having its storage below 40%. The only reservoir that has been on alert is Peringalkuthu in Thrissur. Following the heavy flow of water to the dam, the board is releasing 18.8 cusecs/second of water from there and the dam is under red alert.
“Following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic and the subsequent restrictions, power consumption in the state has come down. The consumption on July 8 was 62.69mu only. The board currently surrenders close to 2MW of power daily. The power was taken anticipating a much higher consumption pattern,” board chairman and managing director N S Pillai said.
Meanwhile, Idukki hydel project is in the threshold of attaining a rare feat of generating over one lakh million units of power. The generating station is supposed to cross the mark in another few days as KSEB is preparing for celebrations.