With the demand for power in the state exceeding the supply by about 500 Mw to 600 Mw, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) today invited public comments on the consultative staff paper on power regulation in the state.

According to the paper, the power supply situation in the state is now passing through a critical stage with the demand far exceeding the supply. The hydro reservoirs, considered to be the backbone of the power supply in Orissa are in depleted situation.

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - State, Gridco seek time to respond to queries on Reliance Energy-owned utilities - OERC asks utilities to prepare contingency plan - Consumers to pay higher tariff for uninterrupted power, says OERC - OERC fixes tariff for solar photovoltaic power - Orissa withdraws CGP restrictions - OERC stays the OPTCL order to limit industrial drawal

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Markets open sharply lower amid weak global cues - DLF dips on weak Q4 earnings - US envoy says no interest in extraditing Assange - Oil hits 6-month low as risk aversion sweeps markets - US Gold rallies late as risk rout revives haven bid More

Similarly, the captive generating plants (CGPs) in the state are unable to deliver their surplus power to meet the requirement. Though the tariff in Orissa is low compared to the other states, the power that can be arranged (in case available) from outside shall be at an exorbitant rate which the general consumers may not be able to afford.

In this scenario, there is need of demand management in the use of energy by all categories of consumers including industrial consumers of the state, the commission pointed out.

Since the commission is mandated under Section 23 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to issue order for regulating supply, distribution, consumption or use thereof so as to maintain, efficient supply, secure, equitable distribution of electricity and promote competition, there is a requirement for issue of a standard load shedding protocol to be implemented in the state.

Accordingly, the consultative staff paper on power regulation is prepared and placed in the website of OERC. The general public have been requested to submit their views to the commission by 25 October 2009. After the commission receives the opinion, power shedding will be taken up in the state. Besides, the commission will prepare a working plan for the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), the Orissa Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (OPTCL) and the distribution companies to avoid any un-expected inconvenience to the consumers.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - Markets open sharply lower amid weak global cues - DLF dips on weak Q4 earnings - US envoy says no interest in extraditing Assange - Oil hits 6-month low as risk aversion sweeps markets - US Gold rallies late as risk rout revives haven bid

Tags : OERC | CGP | Independent Power Producers | SLDC |   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  India's no. 1 Property Site. Click here to know more -   -  "Discover The Power of One" -  Help a Child Achieve her. Click to know more -  The Best Seller is Also the No. 1 in Mileage. Click here -  Watch The Film Here. Click here to know more.. -  Learn How One City is Running on FOOD SCRAPS. -  1 billion in saving for Unilever without any tangles. -  A Brand New Server at a Price That Fits Your Budget. Click here -  One Partnership Endless Possibilities. Click here to know more -  Helping doctors detect diseases earlier, saving costs & extending lives. -  Which is the best plan for your daughter -  Check out the TRUE COLOURS of your Stocks, Now for FREE! -  One of the leading business schools in the world.Know More -  2 Lac Apartments, 1 Lac House / Plots. Click here