Haryana in power purchase pact with NTPC, PTC

Haryana, for the first time, has entered into a power purchase agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the Power Trading Corporation (PTC).

Under the agreement, the state will procure power from PTC and NTPC through Vidyut Vyapar Nigam at Rs 7 per unit during the summer season.

According to sources in state utilities, the state had been floating tenders for the short-term purchase of power to meet the deficit for quite some time but this is the first time three players — PTC, NTPC and JSW Energy (Karnataka) — evinced interest. However, JSW Energy was dropped as its proposal was about 80 paisa per unit higher than the other two competitors.

Haryana is likely to draw 150 Mw in June, 300 Mw in July and 200 Mw each in August and September from NTPC and PTC.

The state faces a shortfall of 150-300 Mw from June to September, the paddy season. The demand for power during this period increases due to higher consumption by the household and the agriculture sector. The state needs about 8-10 million units per day more during June to September.

“With this arrangement, the state will be able to meet its deficit to a great extent. The target is to provide 20-22 hours supply to the household and the industry, 12-14 hours to the rural sector and 6 hours to the agriculture sector,” the source added.

The commissioning of the Rajiv Gandhi thermal power plant at Hisar (1,200 Mw) by next year would help the state in becoming the more self sufficient.