The much-publicised Kaleshwaram project will require 8,459.1 MW power working out to 46.82% of the total installed capacity available in Telangana.
The project would require a total of 14,344 million units of energy every year after completion. The peak energy demand when all the pumps are likely to be operated simultaneously during the pumping season works out to 203.02 MU per day. “This is more than the daily average energy availed in the entire State in 2021-22,” the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said.
The annual recurring cost on electricity charges was understated by adopting a lower rate of ₹3 a unit whereas the prevailing tariff for lift irrigation schemes was ₹6.4 a unit. As the State was presently purchasing/importing nearly 60% of energy from external sources, providing power to various lift irrigation projects, including Kaleshwaram, would be a challenge to the State, the CAG said in the performance audit report of Kaleshwaram project tabled in the Telangana Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
