EDCL to generate 31 million units of power

Energy Development Company (EDCL) Ltd has commenced the hydroelectricity generation, at Harangi reservoir.

The EDCL aims to generate 31 million units of electricity during the year.

Kodagu has received bountiful rainfall this year. Harangi reservoir attained its fullest capacity in the first week of July. As a result, water is released into the river. The electricity generation has already commenced from July 7.

The EDCL had in 1998, entered into an understanding with the state government for 30 years, to generate power using the water from the reservoir. The electricity generated from the reservoir is purchased by the government at the rate of Rs 3 per unit.

The generated electricity is supplied to KPTCL substation at Kushalnagar from where it is supplied to Piriyapattana, Koppa, Somwarpet, Kushalnagar and surrounding areas.

About 25 million units of electricity are produced using two turbines with a production capacity of 4.5 megawatts. Six million units of electricity are generated using another turbine in the second unit.

The EDCL gets 1000 cusecs of water through the canal from the reservoir. The
electricity is generated from June to December.

The maximum capacity of the reservoir is 2,859 feet. Last year, the generation of electricity commenced from July 23. With the monsoon gaining momentum in the month of June, the electricity generation commenced much in advance.

Owing to the deficit rainfall, only 20 million units of electricity was generated last year. In 2014, the hydroelectricity unit had generated the highest of 36 million units of electricity, said EDCL Manager Shivasubramani to DH.

Harangi reservoir Executive Engineer S R Dharmaraj said, “Following heavy rain, the reservoir was full in the first week of July itself. As a result, 1000 cusecs of water is released for the generation of electricity and 450 cusecs is released for the farmers.”