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This is an archive article published on October 10, 2024
Ukai dam sees 16% rise in power generation via hydro-turbine units
As per the data received from Ukai dam authorities, there are four hydro-turbine units in the dam, each with the capacity to generate 75 MW (Mega Watt) of electricity.
Overall, this monsoon season, that lasted till September, saw 272.85 MU of electricity generated as against 208.6 MU in the same period in 2023. (File)
This year, Ukai dam has seen generation of 547.669 MU (Million Units) of electricity, marking an almost 16% increase from last year’s 460.23 MU, through hydro-turbine units, officials said. These units are activated when water is released from the dam.
As per the data received from Ukai dam authorities, there are four hydro-turbine units in the dam, each with the capacity to generate 75 MW (Mega Watt) of electricity. With one unit under maintenance, the dam authorities could run only three units this season.
The hydro-turbine units get activated when water from the dam is released directly into the Tapi river, said officials.
In the current monsoon season, the dam authorities began switching on hydro units in June, and generated 30.100 MU (Million Units) of electricity in a month, lower than last year’s 38.55 MU. In July too, only 0.58 MU electricity was generated as against last July’s 9.33 MU.
However, in August, 135.92 MU was generated against 60.72 MU in the corresponding period last year.
In September, 106.25 MU of power was generated against last year’s 100 MU. Overall, this monsoon season, that lasted till September, saw 272.85 MU of electricity generated as against 208.6 MU in the same period in 2023.
In the non-monsoon season, from January to May, electricity generated through hydro-turbine units this year stood at 274.819 MU against 251.63 MU in the same period last year.
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Sources said that on Wednesday evening, the water level in Ukai stood at 345 feet, which is the danger level. The dam released an inflow of 16,388 cusecs; the same amount of water was released into Tapi river.
Deputy Executive engineer, Ukai dam, G S Kokani said, “This year, in the current monsoon season, the total inflow of water in the Ukai dam was over 12,500 MCM (Million Cubic Meter), while we have released over 7700 MCM water directly into the Tapi river to maintain the water level in the dam… we are expecting the inflow of water till the mid of October month.”
He said, “Apart from the monsoon season, we discharge water directly from Ukai to Kakrapar reservoir and also activate hydro-turbine units and generate electricity. With the start of the monsoon season, our first preference is to fill the water into the dam to make it full so that it can be used throughout the year for irrigation, industries and drinking purposes.”
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