Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar hydel units begin power generation

V. Rishi Kumar

Hyderabad, Aug. 9

With copious inflows into Srisailam dam and gradual increase of water flow into Nagarjunasagar dam on the river Krishna, power generation in both the 900-MW left bank power project and 770-MW right bank power house at Srisailam has commenced, bringing cheer to the power-starved State.

The water flow into Nagarjunasagar dam has also enthused AP Genco to commence power generation in four of the eight units with a total capacity of 810 MW.

According to sources at AP Genco and the Srisailam project site, both the right and left bank canals have begun generating power about two days ago. Both the projects are being run at slightly below their capacities. Power generation will be stepped up gradually after stabilisation. They have gone through maintenance works and significant overhaul after submergence last year due to unprecedented floods.

The flood water into the Srisailam dam was more than nearly 15 feet over the peak reservoir level of 885 feet. This resulted in flooding of power systems, forcing AP Genco to shut down both the power houses due to submergence. It took about three months of restoration works to bring them to normalcy.

With the current water level at 875 feet at Srisailam, AP Genco is now generating about 15 million units from each of the power systems. It has also commenced power generation from four of the eight units in Nagarjunasagar dam. As the water level goes up at Nagarjunasagar dam, it would be possible to generate power from all the eight units, sources said.

With the State receiving nearly 27 per cent excess rain during the current monsoon, and significant inflows into Krishna and Godavari river systems, the water level in most of the reservoirs of the State and neighbouring Karnataka has gone up.

As against 858 feet at the Srisailam dam last year, the water level is now at 875 feet as of 6 a.m. on Monday. However, at Nagarjunasagar, the level is at 530 feet as against FRL of 590 feet. At the Srirasagar dam, the water level is at 1083 feet as against full reservoir level of 1091. Other projects--Jurala, Thungabadra, Singur, Somasila, Yeleru, Nizamsagar have also received significant inflows in the past two-three weeks.