Record power generation at Sileru projects in 10 years

VIJAYAWADA: APGENCO managing director K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu on Tuesday said hydropower projects in Sileru basin generated 416.1 MW (9.9855 million units) of electricity in a single day on Monday, breaking the daily record of generating electricity in the last 10 years.

There are four hydropower projects in Sileru basin – Upper Sileru (240 MW), Lower Sileru (460 MW), Donkarai Canal Power House (25 MW) and Machkhand (120 MW). However, power generated at Machkhand is equally shared by Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) and Odisha Hydel Power Corporation (OHPC). All the other projects belong to APGENCO.

Chakradhar Babu said it is noteworthy that all these hydropower projects have been producing electricity for past 40 years to 68 years. He mentioned that although these projects are the oldest, they recorded the highest production (416.1 MW) on July 24, which has not been achieved on any single day in the last 10 years.

The break-up of the power generated project-wise is Lower Sileru 202.60 MW (4.865 million units), Machkhand 118.5 MW (2.843 million units), Upper Sileru 87.5 MW (2.1 million units) and Donkarai 7.4 MW (0.1775 million units).

The APGENCO MD congratulated project staff for the record generation at Sileru basin projects. He pointed out that maximum daily production in last 10 years became possible as staff dedicatedly repaired the two units at Machkhand, which had remained idle for past two years due to damaged equipment.

Chakradhar Babu also thanked Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, energy minister for Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and special chief secretary (Energy) Vijayanand for the support they have extended to power companies.