North To Face 8,000 Mw Power Deficit In 2012

The 15th Electric Power Survey conducted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has forecast a huge deficit of 8,000 mw for the northern region by 2012, the end of the 11th Plan period.

The Central Electricity Authority has also identified 6,000 mw to 7,000 mw of surplus power that could be exported to the north from the east. The remaining deficit will be met by the southern region.

The southern region, which will have a surplus of about 2,500 mw by 2012, will be able to meet the marginal deficit that will be faced by the western region, according to the Central Electricity Authority forecast.

 

In its recommendation, the Central Electricity Authority study has said: "Increase in generating capacity in the eastern region for supplying loads in the northern region is a part of the least cost option. Transmission of a substantial amount of power (6,000-7,000 mw) is needed from the east to the north. The southern region is also expected to be surplus in power (1,000 mw-to-2500 mw) on account of the anticipated construction of a large number of projects by independent power producers."

The surplus in the south, the study says, will be "utilised in the western region partially, and transmitted via the western region, to the northern region".

The study has identified major transmission corridors for interconnections between the eastern and northern, western and northern, and western and southern regions.

Suggesting an "innovative method to enable development of these transmission highways", the Central Electricity Authority study has recommended two options: An "interest-free loan with an extended repayment period to the Central Transmission Utility which would most likely build these lines, as was done in 1960s for construction of interstate lines to consolidate regional grid operation."

Second, the "Government of India may fund the project with recovery of investment through back-loaded tariff so that the state utilities which are presently handicapped due to weak financial position, would not be further stressed to bear the heavy transmission charges on account of these bulk inter-regional transmission lines. These transmission highways are analogous to national highways and could be built as basic infrastructure projects."

In another interesting observation, the Central Electricity Authority study points out that that the Talcher-Kolar HVDC line will not be utilised as the southern region becomes surplus in power and will not need to import power from the eastern region.

"Accordingly, a considered view is required to be taken on generation addition programme in the southern region so as to ensure that the HVDC Talcher-Kolar bipole does not become redundant in the 10th and 11th Plan timeframe," the study says.