Maharashtra State is heading for a major power crisis that may result in across the board load shedding from October 6 itself to manage the spiralling demand. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) is bracing for enforcing power cuts ranging from two to three and half hours across the State, including load shedding free Nagpur City, to balance the demand, it is learnt. Due to sufficient availability of power all the divisional headquarters were declared load shedding free but now situation is going to reversed owing to dip in power generation.
Energy, New and Renewable Energy, State Excise and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule is scheduled to take stock of the situation and make an announcement about the impending load shedding programme by Friday.
The power demand of State has peaked to about 17,727 and distribution company is having just 11,805 MW with it, and this widening gap has the officials worried. According to information, with rainy season withdrawing there is spurt in demand from agricultural pumps. Also the rise in mercury has upped the demand for electricity in urban areas, where power guzzlers air conditioners and coolers are working round the clock. On top of that there is sharp fall in coal and many of the thermal power plants are just having two to three days stock leading to dip in generation.
All this has lead to impending crisis on generation front which has dipped to all time low in the State. The demand of MSEDCL itself has shot-up to 14,974 and this excludes that of Mumbai. In the State capital the power demand has reached 2889 MW while availability is of just 1501 MW.
Maharashtra has exceeded its drawing from Central pool, it is using about 5905 MW while allocation is of 5704 MW. Fortunately the demand from Madhya Pradesh is quite low and hence there is no disturbance in Western Region’s frequency at present. Total power generation in State, excluding Mumbai, from thermal and hydro is about 10,390 MW.
Source: thehitavada
