No generation from Bhaderwah, Sewa-III HEPs
*Several outlived design life of 35 years
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 23: Keeping in view decline in power generation from certain hydroelectric projects and subsequent forced shut downs, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is consulting Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) on revival of projects with very low generation as compared to their design energy .
As per the official document available with EXCELSIOR, 13 hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir have total capacity of 1197.4 Mega Watt (MW) and as per the design energy they can generate 5318.11 million units. However, during the financial year 2023-24 these projects generated 4913.28 million units.
The projects like Upper Sindh Hydropower Project (USHP-I) and USHP-II, Ganderbal, Chenani-I, Chenani-II and Chenani-III, Bhaderwah and Sewa-III generated power far less than their design energy during the year 2023-24.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
USHP-I generated 36.79 million units against design energy of 106.62 million units while as there was generation of 141.83 million units against the design energy of 447.37 million units by USHP-II. Ganderbal project generated 18.46 million units against design energy of 90.15 million units.
The Chenani-I generated 60.59 million units against design energy of 110.02 million units and generation from Chenani-II was 0.30 million units against design energy of 12 million units. However, there generation of 4.45 million units of power against design energy of 36.71 million units from the Chenani-III. There was no generation from Bhaderwah and Sewa-III although they have design energy of generating 8.32 million units and 33.6 million units respectively.
“Losses due to decrease in generation have occurred as a result of decrease in hydrology due to climate change over period of time apart from the fact that many of the projects like 23.3 Mega Watt Chenani-I, 105 Mega Watt LJHEP, 22.6 Mega Watt USHP-1 etc have already outlived their design life of 35 years resulting in frequent forced shut downs and progressively increasing operation and maintenance Costs”, the Document said.
Moreover, Sewa-III is under complete shutdown since 20.08.213 due to closure/damage of water conductor due to torrential rains which rendered it totally defunct. IIT-Roorkee engaged by JKPDC for the preparation of Detailed Project Report for the revival of Sewa-III furnished a comprehensive DPR in March 2022 for an amount of Rs 76.68 crore which includes repair/renovation of various civil components along replacement of major electro-mechanical equipment.
“The J&K Power Development Corporation is preparing a technical and financially viable proposal for the revival of Sewa Hydroelectric Project for placing before the Board of Directors”, the document said.
Pointing out that power generation in some of the J&K’s operational plans especially the very old ones does not always reach full capacity, the document said, “this can be attributed to frequent wear and tear due to aging machinery. Additionally issues such as low hydrology and trash accumulation, which are common in hydro plants, also lead to reduced generation”.
As per the document, IIT Roorkee and NHPC are being consulted to advise Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) on the revival of projects with low generation as compared to their design energy. Based on IIT Roorkee and NHPC’s recommendation effective measures will be taken by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation to ensure these operational projects run at their full potential.
In the document, it has been claimed that Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has taken effective steps for fast-tracking the harnessing of balance hydroelectric power potential by involving NHPC, Joint Venture Companies namely CVPPL and RHPCL and independent power producers apart from Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation.
A total of 15 projects are at various stages of implementation—6 projects aggregating 2063.5 MW are in construction stage, two projects aggregating 141 MW are at award stage and 7 projects aggregating 4563.5 MW are at DPR/clearance stage.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
