Telangana starts getting hydel electricity

Hyderabad: The TSGenco has started generating power at the Jurala hydel project for the first time this monsoon, the first time hydel power is being generated in the state. The total hydel capacity at Jurala is 234 MW and generation has started in the four units. Power utilities have been purchasing thermal power from private producers due to almost nil (zero) or negligible hydel power generation in the past two years.

“Hydel power is cheap. If the state can generate 1,200 MW of hydel power this year, the state’s power utilities need not spend Rs 1000 crore on purchase from private producers,” an official said. The state has total installed capacity of 2,161 MW in hydel power. With good inflows from upstream Karnataka, the Jurala reservoir is full. Srisailam dam has started receiving inflows also but it would take time for power generation to start there. “We are anticipating power generation to start by August third week at Srisailam followed by Nagarjuna Sagar," TSGenco Superintending Engineer (Hydel) Vijay Kumar told this correspondent.