Tightening of grid frequency will hit power situation: Jayalalithaa

The proposed move by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Cerc) to tighten the grid frequency bandwidth would increase the power crisis in Tamil Nadu.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said that considering the existing power shortage across the country, “the directive of Cerc for tightening the grid frequency is likely to play havoc with the power utilities, especially in Tamil Nadu, which is already facing severe transmission congestion problems.”

The operating grid frequency bandwidth of 49.5 Hz to 50.2 Hz is proposed to be further restricted to 49.7 Hz to 50.2 Hz, which according to CERC, is a step to ensure grid stability. The Unscheduled Interchange charges at the minimum frequency of operation are also proposed to be raised from Rs 8.73 per unit to Rs 9 per unit.

The cost of power drawn at frequency below the set level will increase the cost of power to the utility, the letter stated.

“The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, part of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, which is already in a debt trap, would be subjected to severe financial stress on account of this move to an extent of over Rs 350 crore per year,” it added.

Considering that the grid stability had not been adversely affected in the recent past with the existing frequency bandwidth and in view of the prevailing power shortage situation, the tightening of the grid is “a drastic move is totally unwarranted at this stage”.

This would also result in increase in duration of enforced load shedding in the State, especially in rural areas affecting agricultural production and economic growth of the state, she said.