Assam facing huge power shortage

GUWAHATI: Assam is under the grip of full blown power crisis. With disruption of 400 KV Binaguri-Bongaigaon circuit in Assam and West Bengal the state is facing acute power shortage. Power minister, Pradyut Bordoloi rushed to North Bengal to supervise the restoration operation.

Restoration 400 circuit is likely only by May 14 or 15. This has resulted in hours of load shedding. Industry and consumers are hard hit following this power cuts which started last week following high speed wind.

Following this disruption the state has not been able to draw power from outside the region. Assam is heavily dependent on outside sources as its own generation of power abysmally low.

The state is facing 450 MW of power shortage during the peak load hours, while its shortfall during the off peak load hours is around 230 MW. Against the demand of 1100MW during peak hour the state is getting 650 MW.

Similarly during off peak hours against the demand of 720 MW the state is receiving was 490 MW. The state power utilities are generating 257 MW of power. Industries like tea are taking the beating following this crisis.

Power minister, Pradyut Bordoloi has left for North Bengal to supervise the restoration of two towers which has resulted in the breakdown of the grid connectivity.

A team of engineers are accompanying the minister. According to state government, Powergrid has started repair work of towers. "We have asked Powergrid to restore the same as fast as possible."

The power minister will also review the progress of the 750 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS). The first unit of this project is likely to be commissioned by the beginning of next year.