THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a month, thanks to some tight-rope measures adopted by KSEB Limited, the water level in the state’s reservoirs has swelled to over 50 per cent from a paltry 29 per cent in the first week of August; the level was 35 per cent even as late as August 22. A late pick up of the southwest monsoon helped, but it was the public utility’s decision to keep daily hydel generation under 15 million units that did the trick. Now that the reservoirs are flush, KSEBL might crank up hydel generation by at least 5 million units a day. A highly rationed hydel production to ensure that reservoir level is kept at a basic minimum, however, meant that KSEBL has to purchase costly power from outside.
KSEBL has been purchasing an average of 55.25 million units from outside. Of this, 27.91 MU is secured as central allocation from central generating stations, at a relatively low cost of Rs 2-3 per unit. But the peak hour rates of power from outside sources like power exchanges and traders, even during this period of power surplus across the country, is relatively costly at Rs 6 to Rs 7 per unit. KSEBL has estimated that the total power consumption for 2017-18 would be 24,770 MU.
To meet to increasing demand, KSEBL had already entered into long-term agreements for 865 MW. 315 MW of the contracted power has reached the state during 2016-17 period itself. The remaining 550 MW is expected to flow in from October 1 this year. “Now, with rainfall picking up, it looks like the right time to crank up hydel generation and cut down on daily outside purchases,” a top KSEBL official said. At the moment, inflow into the reservoirs far outstrips outgo for hydel generation; if outgo is 14.3 MU, the inflow is 36 MU. In fact, the water level in the Idukki reservoir has almost caught up with last year's level.
Tourists flock to Idukki dam
The Idukki and Cheruthony dams opened on August 25 were witnessing a heavy rush of tourists on Onam holidays. On Tuesday 6,979 visitors came for sightseeing there, compared to Monday's 4,546. The dams, which saw 9,156 footfalls this season so far will close on September 15. To help those who find it difficult to walk a car has been pressed into service to take them for sightseeing atop the dam. "The facilities are being provided by the dam safety department. There is a steady increase in tourist arrivals each day," Sreeni Damodaran, an employee, told DC. The department under the KSEB had painted the Idukki arch dam white.
