Chennai: Hydel reservoirs in the state have received good inflow during this south-west monsoon providing much relief to the power starved state.
According to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), as of September 29, the hydel reservoirs in the state have received an inflow of about 2,015 million units as against the total capacity of 2,397 MU.
Good storage in the hydel reservoirs means people will be spared power cuts in the morning and evening peak hours when the hydel power will be used to meet the peak demand.
The reservoirs record maximum inflows during the south-west monsoon between June and September.
“The current levels in the hydel reservoirs is comfortable compared to the previous years. The catchment areas of the reservoirs, particularly in the Nilgiris, have received excess rainfall this monsoon,” the official said, adding that the storage of the reservoirs has reached almost 90 per cent of the capacity.
On Monday, Tangedco met the state’s morning peak demand of 10,917MW with the hydel stations generating 1,481MW, which is almost 13 per cent of the total peak demand. Hydro stations have generated about 2,033 MU to date as against the generation target of 5,061 MU this fiscal year.
The state has a total hydro power capacity of 2,284MW. About 1335 MW capacity plants are located on the non-irrigation reservoirs, while the remaining 857MW stations are tied to irrigation based reservoirs, including Mettur. The irrigation-based stations generate power as and when waters are released for agricultural purpose.
“Hydro stations are mainly operated for maintaining frequency of the grid and for meeting peak demand,” said an official.
