Maharashtra swelters due to high demand

Surge in demand due to prolonged summer

Maharashtra is currently facing power cuts of 800 to 1,500 Mw daily. MahaVitaran, the state distribution company, has put on hold thedrawal of 2,000 Mw from its Koyna hydro project to avoid further depletion of water from the reservoir, in view of the likelihood of less rain.

Since June 1, the state’s power demand has increased from 14,510 Mw to 16,299 Mw as on June 9. A MahaVitaran official told Business Standard: “The demand is high, especially between 11 am and 4 pm, due to use of air-conditioners following the surge in temperature. MahaVitaran has to daily shed load of 800-1,500 Mw. About 700-800 Mw is purchased through power exchanges at Rs 3.08 a unit. The rates suddenly rose today (Tuesday) to Rs 5.50 per unit during peak time.” He said the demand reduces by 1,500 Mw from 4 pm to 6 pm.

POWER WOES

• Demand-Supply gap increasing due to prolonged summer
• MahaVitaran forced to shed load of 800Mw to 1,500 Mw
• Daily demand has surged to 16,299 Mw
• Power purchases from exchange become dearer

He noted the 1,967-Mw Dabhol power project had been closed since December. ''Had MahaVitaran drawn power from Koyna, it would not have to shed the load. But the water has been reserved if the summer is prolonged,” the official said.

MahaVitaran is drawing 6,000 Mw from state-owned MahaGenco, 5,500 Mw from the central sector and 1,100 Mw from the private sector. It is also getting 2,500 Mw under its long-term power purchase agreements.

Meanwhile, chorus is rising from treasury and opposition members to stop load shedding and provide immediate relief to consumers across the state. Incidentally, NCP president Sharad Pawar asked the state government to take concrete steps to make available adequate power supply to all consumers.