It's raining cheer for Genco

HYDERABAD: The consistent and heavy rainfall in the past three months may have caused problems for denizens in the form of water-loggings, damaged roads and spurt in seasonal diseases but as far as the state power utilities are concerned, it has brought great cheer.
With all reservoirs brimful, power utilities have been able to overshoot the target of hydel generation by about 1000 MW a day.The APGenco had targeted to generate about 1791 MW a day but with reservoirs full, it is generating 2800 MW a day. As a result, the power utilities have been able to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
In addition, the 2700 MW of power allocated to the state by the Centre under unscheduled quota has gone unused due to the excess power generation. This has been allowed to be utilised by other states, thus saving the state Rs 9 crore.
According to Genco officials, the power utilities could achieve this despite about five or six small hydel units (two) at Machkund on Andhra-Orissa border and three units at Jurala, which could have added another 160 MW of power, being out of service due to technical problems. These units would become operational in about a week's time.
Unlike last year when some parts of the state reeled under sudden floods and other parts faced drought, rainfall has been consistent and 38% in excess across the state. The two major reservoirs, the Srisailam and the Nagarjunasagar, are almost full. Officials claim that they will be able to meet the power requirements of the state without problem till December as they expect more rains under the present weather conditions.
It may be mentioned here that last year around this time, the power utilities were facing serious power problems and power cuts in October ranged between one to three hours in cities and 7-10 hours in rural areas. Following unprecedented inflows into the Srisailam reservoir, six units had gone out of service.
The 770 MW right bank power station got inundated by flood waters and became inoperational for almost five months. By end of October 2009, the state faced severe power crisis as it lost 3080 MW due to faults in various power units.