As per the state water resource department, the state dam has got mere 11% water against 29% last year.
After the decision of stopping hydroelectric power generation at Koyna dam, the state government has decided to take 1,500 MW of additional power from Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (MahaGenco).
Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told dna that they had decided to buy the required power from MahaGenco. "MahaGenco has thermal power plants at Koradi (Nagpur), Khaparkheda (Nagpur), Chandrapur, Paras (Akola), Nashik, and Bhusawal. We had already made the power purchase agreement (PPA) with MahaGenco. They will release the power as per our demand," said Bawankule.
Bawankule said that there is no water shortage in Vidharbha. "Currently, we are buying 5,000 MW from MahaGenco, but now it will be increased to 6,500 MW. We are committed to supply power to people. We will also ensure that there will be no shortage of power in the state. At the same time, we hope that we have a good monsoon," the minister added.
dna had reported that due to shortage of water, Koyna dam had stopped the generating 1,960 MW of power. The Koyna power was used during the peak hours. The prolong drought and delayed monsoon has caused the severe water and power crisis in Maharashtra.
As per the state water resource department, the state dam has got mere 11% water against 29% last year.
Maharashtra's total power demand is 16,000-16,500 MW, of which hydro power contributes to 3,000 MW.
Maharashtra government had also stopped the power thermal generation at Parli in Marathwada that was generating 700-800 MW due to water shortage.
"We are reducing our dependency on hydroelectric power and focusing more on wind, solar and thermal power. Solar power is one of the major sources which is so far untapped or not properly utilised. We want to use this in a large scale and for that the government is promoting and encouraging the clean energy," said a senior official from the energy department.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Power")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}