BS reported that hydro power production in the state may go up to 340 MW from January 2012, up from 240 MW generated currently, as the government has committed the power generators to draw more water from reservoirs.

Mr PK Pradhan director commercial of Grid Corporation of Orissa the sole purchaser of bulk power in the state said that “From January next year, we will be getting more share of water compared to the present situation.”

Total power production in the state had slipped to 1,650 MW level in November from average requirement of 2,700 MW due to technical glitch in thermal power stations amid lesser water availability for hydro power, prompting all distributing companies in the state to declare power cuts.

Even though Gridco hopes to get 100 MW more from hydro power and 100 MW more from Jindal Power and Steel Ltd by end of the month, total availability will be still 250 MW lower than average requirement.

Mr Pradhan said that “Recently NTPC Kaniha unit started production but generation at its Kahalgaon unit dropped due to some problem which resulted in 50 MW less power supply from Central pool. We are not sure when power cuts will stop completely, but the duration of power cut may come down from next year.’

(Sourced from BS)