Amid rising power deficit, western region is a net exporter

While the northern, southern and eastern regions are reeling under power crisis, the western region, comprising Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Goa, is a net exporter of power. At 6 pm today, the western region exported 3,614 Mw, comprising 1,940 Mw to the northern region, 830 Mw to the southern region and 940 Mw to the eastern region.

A Western Regional Load Despatch Centre (WRLDC) official told Business Standard: “The export of power is possible, as the region is in a comfortable power situation. The scattered rainfall has given a relief. On Monday, the region had exported a total of 4,200 Mw, comprising 2,095 Mw to the northern region, 982 Mw to the southern region and 1,123 Mw to the eastern region.” Till 6 pm today, the western region has met a demand of 30,640 Mw, while it was 34,000 Mw yesterday. WRLDC is the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the power system in the region.

The official said demand, especially in the northern region, was rapidly rising due to sowing operations which were at their peak. The demand is also quite high in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. The western region’s demand goes down during the monsoon, while the peak or maximum demand occurs in July in case of the eastern and northern regions. In case of the southern region, the demand is normally high. But if there was a good rainfall, the demand went down, he added.

According to the official, the cost of power as unscheduled interchange (UI) is linked to frequency. UI is the actual power minus scheduled power and the rates are fixed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

These rates are linked to grid frequency. The frequency was 50.05 Hz at 6 pm.