Peak power demand seen at 4,000 Mw in summer

Peak power demand in the ensuing summer months is projected to hover around 4,000 Mw while average power requirement is pegged at 3,150 Mw as per the estimates of state owned power trader Gridco Ltd.

In a written reply to the state assembly, energy minister Pranab Prakash Das said, the state's power availability will be around 3,200 Mw touching a peak of 4,000 Mw. With comfortable position at the reservoirs and availability of power from thermal plants, captive generating plants and through power banking, the state hopes to cater to the requirement, he said.

With availability of surplus power and upgradation of power distribution and transmission infrastructure, there is no need for load shedding in summer, the minister stated.

Currently, the state's average power requirement stands at 2,900 Mw peaking at 3,700 Mw. Generation during peak hours is 3,800 Mw including 1,370 Mw of hydro power, 760 Mw from thermal power, 650 Mw supplied by the independent power producers (IPPs) and 1,020 Mw power received by Odisha as state share from the central sector.

During non-peak hours, hydro power generation is scaled down to 525 Mw. Total generation during non-peak hours is 2,955 Mw. The state is having 100 Mw power surplus that is traded on the power exchanges.