The Sharavathi hydroelectric generating station, which was destroyed in a fire early this year, is almost restored with only three units remaining to become operational of the 10. While the sixth and seventh units were refurbished within a month (in March), the 10th and third units were restored on July 8 and 18 respectively. The eighth unit was done in April and the ninth unit in June, said Karnataka Power Corporation Limited Managing Director G. Kumar Nayak. All 10 units were destroyed in a fire on February 18, badly affecting power generation, in one of the oldest hydroelectric power stations. Mr. Nayak said in Mysuru on Monday that the fifth unit was repaired on Monday (July 25) and the fourth unit is expected to be ready by July 30. The first and second units are also expected to be ready soon, he added.
“Irrespective of generation and availability of water, all units will be kept ready,” said Mr. Nayak, adding that the restoration was done in a record time with a focussed attention.
On the Ministry of Environment and Forests guidelines over pollution from thermal power stations which are to be met by December 2017, Mr. Nayak said KPCL was consulting experts for taking steps to comply with the norms for cutting down sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions besides suspended particles from the plants. “We are hopeful of complying with the norms before the deadline,” he added.
