Power outage issue to worsen in many cities
New Delhi: With summer setting in, most parts of the country is likely to face power outage issues. Some states are unable to meet at least half the total demand in this season.
The situation has worsened in places where state electricity boards have not secured the power they need to supply. Since many of them are unable to recover the cost of electricity, they are not willing to make adequate purchases as this will only increase their losses.
The centre is concerned that the demand-supply mismatch in states may put the national grid at risk, which had collapsed dramatically last year, leaving half the country in darkness for long. Officials said that, in order to avoid such incidents, the power ministry has directed power-deficit states to submit their load-shedding schedules. The government will closely monitor the grid discipline.
Already, many parts of south India have been facing the heat of power shortage. Owing to the absence of adequate transmission facilities, it has become difficult to bridge the gap. The officials said that the situation is similar in the north too.
Power issues in Uttar Pradesh continues as the projected demand is 15,850 mw but there is a shortfall of almost 7,000 mw. The officials said that the state government is finalising 1,000 mw of power purchase tenders while planning to get power at a cheaper rate from Himachal Pradesh.
Punjab is likely to face a shortage of 3,000 mw. It is expecting to draw short-term power from Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. The state has projected 13,200 mw of demand this summer as against 12,200 mw last year.
The hilly states are also in deficit. Himachal Pradesh is also expected to witness challenges. Jammu & Kashmir may meet only half of the state’s peak power demand this summer. However, residents in Delhi and Haryana can expect a better power supply situation when demand for electricity will be at peak during May to July.
Delhi’s electricity demand is likely to reach 5,850 mw compared with 5,650 mw last year. Distribution arms of Reliance Infrastructure and Tata Power have assured the power ministry of meeting higher demands in Delhi.
Power utilities of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Chandigarh have not yet shared their demand-supply estimations with the ministry of power.
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