Maha: fuel shortage hits generation, load-shedding likely

Consumers of Mahavitaran will have to face power cuts during the ongoing festive season as the state utility's power generation has dropped due to shortage of coal and gas.
"Due to non-availability of coal and gas, the supply of electricity from various sources has decreased by almost 2,000 MW. Since the demand is rising and supply has reduced, we may have to impose load shedding," Mahavitaran said here.
The company, which is supposed to get nearly 5,500 MW power from the state power generator Mahagenco's thermal plants, is getting only 4,000-4,500 MW at present.
"Mahagenco is supposed to get nearly 32 rakes of coal, but currently it is getting only 15-16. Its thermal power stations in Khaparkheda, Paras and Bhuswal are left with less than a day's coal stock while the plant at Chandrapur has stock sufficient for just two-and-a-half days. This has impacted power generation," it said in a statement.

Indiabulls Power and Adani Power have also stopped supplying power to Mahavitaran. While Indiabulls has stopped supplying 270 MW power from one of its plants in Maharashtra, Adani Power is supplying only 1,500-1,700 MW, when Mahavitaran is supposed to get 2,500 MW.
Due to non-availability of gas, the 1960 MW Dabhol plant operated by Ratnagiri Gas and Power (RGPPL) has stopped generation completely, while the generation from Uran plant has decreased by 150 MW.

The company further said the change in temperatures in the last 15 days has increased the demand for electricity by around 1,300 MW to 16,500-16,800 MW from 14,500-15,500 MW.

"We believe this demand is temporary and we expect the situation will be better in the coming days," it added.
The demand in the same period last year was 12,200 MW and it has increased by nearly 25 per cent or nearly 4,600 MW.
"We are buying nearly 1,000-1,400 MW power from the electricity exchange and 300 MW through short-term power purchase agreements. We are also making arrangements for making gas available for the Uran plant so that we can get additional 100-150 MW," the statement said.