Moozhiyar generator row: Rs 1,000 crore loss, 54 repairs and still no replacement- why?

Kottayam: The rejection of the Generation Wing's recommendation to replace the controversial number 4 generator at the Moozhiyar powerhouse with a new one is also coming to light. The recommendation was submitted to the board six years ago. However, as per the instructions of top officials in the electricity department, it was decided not to consider it.

The content of the recommendation was that a new generator could be installed for approximately Rs 40 crore and its cost could be recovered within 5 years. It was also pointed out that operating the generator at its full capacity of 60 megawatts would be beneficial for the Sabarigiri project as well. It was recorded that there are competent Indian companies to install the generator.

Sabarigiri is the second largest hydroelectric project in Kerala. It is estimated that the currently limping number 4 generator has caused a loss of around Rs 1000 crore so far. It does not even come close to its declared capacity of 60 megawatts. Except for a few days when experts from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation came and carried out modernization, producing 60 megawatts, the generator has never come to its declared capacity either before or after that. There is also a situation where employees are afraid to work there due to continuous vibration.

However, a section of top officials in the board and heads of the department worried that replacing the machine would expose the flaws that had been covered up until then. Secret advice was received that replacing the generator, which was installed in 2013 and has a performance guarantee until 2028, would land some in legal trouble. This would also bring to light things like returning the performance guarantee amount of Rs 3 crore to the Chinese company without withholding it. If the generator did not have the performance stated in the contract, the guarantee amount should have been withheld.

Questions remain:

• If damaged equipment in powerhouses cannot be fixed even after modernization, they can be replaced. Meanwhile, the generator, which is not fixed even after 54 major works, is still not being replaced. Why?
• Even though it did not perform as per the contract, there is no legal action against the Chinese company. Why?
• Why did the Vigilance investigation go nowhere?
• When performance analysis of hydroelectric projects is carried out from time to time, why does the board fail to consider the shortcomings at Moozhiyar?