Active monsoon doing KSEB a power of good

After last year’s big disappointment owing to the failed monsoons, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) appears to be on a roll this year when it comes to water storage levels in its hydel reservoirs.

As on Tuesday, the state-run power utility had enough water to generate 2,140.80 million units of power in its reservoirs, thanks to the vigorous 2013 south-west monsoon. In fact, the hydel reservoirs are 52 per cent full, according to the data released by the State Load Despatch Centre.

The 2013 storage levels are also the highest in recent years, and, compared to last year when the level was the lowest, indeed a big relief for the KSEB. The reservoirs of the 780 MW Idukki project is 48 per cent full while Pampa is 52 per cent full. Edamalayar is 38.8 per cent full and Kuttiadi 93 per cent full, the Load Despatch Centre figures show. The Poringalkuthu and lower Periyar reservoirs are 100 per cent full at the moment.

“We have received around three times more inflow than last year. And the inflow is at a fast rate. If the north-east monsoon also is strong, the state will be in a comfortable position for the whole year with regard to electricity,” M Mohammedali Rawther, member, KSEB (distribution and generation- electrical).

 In fact, the total storage levels in 2013 would enable the KSEB to generate as much as 1,531.38 MU more than last year. In 2012, the hydel reservoirs of the KSEB had recorded the lowest level in years, when it stood at 609.42 MU. This was largely due to the failed south-west and north-east monsoons in 2012. With the monsoon strengthening, the daily power consumption levels also have become manageable for the KSEB.

 On Tuesday, hydro power contributed 21.60 MU to a total supply of 53.44 MU. During the dry summer months, there were instances when the power utility had to slash hydel generation to less than 10 MU a day.