Scarcity of water for thermal power projects is likely to affect electricity generation in Maharashtra in summer.
The dipping lake levels might force the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MahaGenco) to shut down a 250 mega watt (MW) set at the Paras thermal power station in May.
“The dipping water levels in Mun river from which water is supplied to the project located in Vidarbha’s Akola district, is likely to affect the plant," said a senior official from the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd (MahaGenco).
MahaGenco draws water from a barrage on the river for the Paras thermal power plant, which has two power-generating sets of 250 MW each. "There are low water levels in the barrage due to less rainfall last monsoon," said the official.
In April 2010, lack of sufficient water in the Erai dam, which supplies water to the 2,340MW Chandrapur super thermal power station, had led to the partial shutdown of the plant, which had further compounded the power crisis in the state during summer.
Lack of water had led to a single 210MW set, which generates 150MW to 190MW, being kept operational in the power plant located in Vidarbha, which accounts for a major portion of the MahaGenco's 6,480 MW installed thermal power capacity.
