Pune: Ujani Dam, located in Maharashtra, has reached 110% of its capacity following heavy rainfall, and continues to receive an inflow of 6,000 cusecs from Daund.
To manage water levels, the dam is discharging 10,000 cusecs of water into the Bhima River, with an additional 1,600 cusecs being released daily for electricity generation.
Since water release began on August 4, the dam has produced around 1.82 crore units of electricity, valued at over INR 60 million.
Initially, Ujani Dam was at a negative level until the third week of July. However, continuous heavy rains filled the dam to capacity in just 10 to 12 days. Excess water from the dam has since been released into the Bhima River and various irrigation systems, eventually flowing into Karnataka.
A significant development is the resumption of power generation at the dam’s plant, which has been producing 300,000 units of electricity per day. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) is purchasing the electricity at an estimated price of INR 3.50 per unit.
The dam’s power generation project has a target of producing 3.50 crore units of electricity this monsoon, though power generation was delayed until August due to low water levels earlier in the season.
In the last two months, around 105 TMC of water has been released from the dam through the Bhima River, canals, and lift irrigation systems to manage the overflow.
Current Status of Ujani Dam (as of October 5):
Total water storage: 122.42 TMC
Usable water storage: 58.76 TMC
Water discharge: 1,600 cusecs
Inflow to the dam: 6,078 cusecs
Power Generation Process at Ujani Dam:
The dam's power plant is located 100 feet below ground and uses turbines to generate electricity. Water is released to the power plant only when the dam's water level exceeds 100%.
Notably, the water used for electricity generation is returned to the dam through a reverse plant system, enabling the plant to operate for three to four months a year.
The electricity generated at the Bhimanagar Power Plant in Solapur district is supplied to the 132 kV substation in Indapur, and from there, it is distributed to Walchandnagar. The plant is also capable of supplying power to the Sina-Madha pump house.