UP to purchase power from three states

Faced with the peaking demand for power and shortfall in supply, Uttar Pradesh will purchase electricity from three states, an official said on Tuesday.

About 1,500 MW power will be purchased from Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir under the power banking agreement between August 15-September 30.

Officials of the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) told IANS that due to the rain deficit, the demand for power has increased manifold in the state and has forced them to go in for this mega purchase.

The UPPCL had inked power banking agreements of 500 MW till August 15 but at the intervention of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, it has decided to go in for three more pacts.

"The chief minister, with his serious intention to ensure adequate power supply has asked for proper arrangements and we are soon going to ink three more agreements", managing director of UPPCL, A.P. Mishra said.

At the height of summer, the UPPCL needs 13,500 MW power while it can muster up only about 12,000 MW which leaves a yawning gap of over 1500 MW.

Other than the weather playing spoilsport, the power sector in the state has taken a beating as many units - Lanco (600 MW), Vishnu Prayag (400 MW) and Roza (300 MW) - are not operating due to various reasons.