Moily to hold meeting with state power regulators soon

The Centre needs to take many steps in view of high demand for power, he told to reporters on the sidelines of a function here, adding that it is necessary for states to strengthen the distribution system.

"If the distribution system in states is not strengthened, whatever power we supply through the (national) grid, ultimately the distribution system of respective states cannot absorb it", he said.

Moily said he would convene a meeting of the regulators in the state level shortly, "may be within 20 days".

He said almost all state electricity boards are "financially not viable". "Even if the power is generated in respective states, the states are not in a position to purchase it".

The Minister said the Aggregate Transmission and Distribution (AT&D) losses in states range between 12.5 per cent and 40 per cent. "Ultimately, it should not exceed 7.5 per cent. Why should it be (so high)?"

"Average (AT&D losses) in the nation is 27 per cent. We need to curtail that."

He said a number of private generating companies, particularly in urban areas, are in a position to maintain AT&D losses at 7.5 per cent. "That means, so much of power can be conserved. I am addressing all these problems, one by one".