Hectic parleys on to keep power cut in abeyance

The state may not go for power cuts in near future, as being anticipated earlier because of the widening gap between the demand and availability of power in the state.

To keep the possibility of power cut in abeyance, the state energy department is holding parleys to explore different options to source additional power to meet the shortfall.

Energy secretary P K Jena, chairman-managing director (CMD) of Gridco C J Venugopal and energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak today apprised the chief minister about the power situation in the state.

The state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak recently held discussions with the Captive Generating Plants (CGPs) and other private companies in the state which have surplus power at their disposal.

With the average non-peak demand ranging between 2250 Mw to 2350Mw, the state is now having a power deficit of about 200 Mw, which is being partially compensated by one hour power cut in the rural areas.

A section among the policy makers believe that if the power cut could be put off by about two months, the government can get about 450 to 500 Mw in January next year from two new power plants coming up in the state.

The state hopes to get about 350 Mw from the first 600 Mw unit of Sterlite Energy and about 150 Mw from the captive power plant of Bhushan steel around January.

Besides, sources said, if the hydro electricity generation in the state continues at the present level of 450 Mw, the crisis can be thwarted. However, this seems to be unlikely as the water level in major reservoirs are hovering below the last year’s level due to scanty rainfall this year.

The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) is examining various comments on the proposed power regulations in the state. It is expected to come out with its judgement on the issue in about a week’s time.