Eastern Regions Power Exports Dip

The export of power from the eastern region to rest of the country has come down to 20 per cent of the energy that was flowing out a several weeks ago. The importing states give two reasons easing of the shortage through higher hydro generation, and high cost of energy from the east.

The power for export comes from the three power stations of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Farakka, Kahelgaon and Talcher. All the three stations were set up for eastern regions benefit. When the region found the total NTPC generation much above what they could use, it was decided to allow NTPC to export the surplus outside the region.

National Thermal Power Corporation in the east is cutting down much of its generating capacity with states preferring to suffer power cuts than buy expensive National Thermal Power Corporation power from the east.

The northern region which was keen to import power from the eastern region, has developed cold feet.

The investment of Rs 1.85 crore made by eastern power agencies to facilitate the flow of 120/150 mw of power from the east to the north has come to naught. The flow may not actually begin before another two months when hydro power generation will begin to taper off in the north.

Andhra Pradesh which had been drawing 3.5 million units of energy a day, has stopped all imports since August 21. The western region which was drawing 2.5 mu a day through Madhya Pradesh, has now slashed it to one million units. The north-eastern regions present drawl is now down to 0.1 mu a day from the earlier 1 mu a day.

Altogether, the total exports of the east which had peaked to 7 mu a day, is now down to less than 1.5 mu. With the northern region turning its back after its initial enthusiasm, the hopes to raise the export to around 10 mu a day have vanished.

Various regions of the country are now utilising the spurt in hydro power generation, thanks to the good monsoon. This has reduced their need to import.

But, what is causing concern is that many states prefer to suffer some amount of shortage rather than import energy from the east at a high cost. However, the eastern states said that the importing states outside the region must buy more of costlier power from Talcher than the cheaper power generated at Farakka and Kahelgaon. The basic mix of power from the three National Thermal Power Corporation stations for export is 50 per cent from Talcher, 30 per cent from Kahelgaon and 20 per cent from Farakka.

This formula ensures cheaper power for eastern states and more expensive power for the importers. But, the states which have seen NTPC power stations much before any of the NTPC stations in the east, are used to cheap power. The states enjoying cheap National Thermal Power Corporation power are not reconciled to a rate which is three times higher. Power from each NTPC station is priced separately.