Hydropower generation dips in Himachal, India

• 14 years ago (2010-05-18)
• David Flin

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Hydropower generation in Himachal Pradesh, India, has suddenly dipped by 10-20 per cent due to scanty rainfall over the last week, affecting electricity supply to northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Officials have warned that the power crisis will deepen if the dry spell continues. Suneel Grover, Director at the State Electricity Board, said that overall, power generation in all 21 run-of-river projects run by the state has declined by 10-20 per cent, resulting in a decline of 10-12 per cent in the contribution of the state to the northern power grid. Over the last week, rainfall has been low, and in addition, temperatures have been low at higher elevations, resulting in less melting of glaciers.

All the run-of-river projects have been badly hit. However, the projects based on reservoirs, such as the 1500MW Nathpa-Jhakri project are currently operating at an optimum level. However, Grover said that a continuation of the dry spell would also affect the reservoir plants. He said that at present, the Board has started imposing power cuts in all industrial areas in the northern states.