Power generation in NJPC falls to 750 MW

Shimla, Oct 2 (UNI) Power generation in the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydel Project has fallen to 1,000 MW with the water level in the reservior dipping to about 135 cumecs only, a company source today said.

Four units of 250 MW each are generating 1,000 MW of power during peak hours, against an installed capacity of 1,500 MW, for the last three days following a low water discharge from the Sutlej River into the reservior, the source, requesting anonymity, told UNI here.

The power generation in the country's largest hydel power project had also remained closed for 21 days from July 24 to August 13 earlier this year after the silt level in the reservior climbed up to 12,000 parts per million (ppm) against a permissible limit of 4,000 ppm.

The closure of the plant had lead to over Rs 175 crore losses during the period to the Centre and the State, which has 25 per cent stake in it.

The source said the power generation was, however, 750 MW only due to the water level in the reservior dropping to 135 cumecs against 450 cumecs necessary for all the six units to function normally.

Two units of 250 MW each have been closed altogether, he said, adding that the project was generating only 17 million units (MUs) of power at present against an installed capacity of 36 MUs.

He said efforts were on to stock water in the reservior to raise its level to 450 cumecs in order to make all the six units functional.

The fall in the power generation in the plant during this period of the year was normal with the winters round the cornor, he said, adding that the low water level being recorded this year was a bit early.

UNI AS DP PR KN1959