Load shedding haunts Mumbai again
At present, the power demand in the state is 13,200 MW while the available power is only 10,500-11,000 MW.
By Nevin John, TNN |
MUMBAI: As the rains recede, the power-deficit Maharashtra, with over 2,200 mega watt (MW) shortage, is facing unscheduled load shedding. The state electricity board has introduced three-four hours of load shedding in major cities of Thane, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Nashik. Other major cities will face five-six hours of load shedding a day. As usual, the less-fortunate rural Maharashtra will face a near complete blackout of 10 hours.
“At present, the power demand in the state is 13,200 MW while the available power is only 10,500-11,000 MW. Only post-monsoon showers can bring in little consolation to the state. Owing to the high electricity consumption, the deficit is likely to leap to 3,500 MW over the next couple of weeks, forcing an increase in load shedding,” said a Mahavitaran official.
Industry officials said rains usually bring in relief to the state on the power front as farmers do not switch on their motors to pump water. But as the rains come to an end, the demand for electricity shoots up in the rural areas, upsetting the entire demand-supply scenario. During the last summer, the state had undergone severe power cuts, as the demand-supply gap widened to 5,500 MW.
Now the state is getting 650 MW from the Dabhol plant, which is owned by Ratnagiri Gas and Power (RGPPL). Taking this into account, the present shortage is considered high as the state was getting only 350 MW from Dabhol during last summer. Dabhol is running only one gas-based unit now. The remaining two units are up for renovation, which may cost almost Rs 1,500 crore to the company, said sources.
The island city of Mumbai will not face load shedding now as the private power utilities have already sourced additional power to alleviate the situation.
The overall generation capacity for the entire state stands at 11,985 MW, of which MahaGenco has the largest share at 9,711 MW, followed by Tata Power Company (1,774 MW) and Reliance Energy (500 MW).
“At present, the power demand in the state is 13,200 MW while the available power is only 10,500-11,000 MW. Only post-monsoon showers can bring in little consolation to the state. Owing to the high electricity consumption, the deficit is likely to leap to 3,500 MW over the next couple of weeks, forcing an increase in load shedding,” said a Mahavitaran official.
Industry officials said rains usually bring in relief to the state on the power front as farmers do not switch on their motors to pump water. But as the rains come to an end, the demand for electricity shoots up in the rural areas, upsetting the entire demand-supply scenario. During the last summer, the state had undergone severe power cuts, as the demand-supply gap widened to 5,500 MW.
Now the state is getting 650 MW from the Dabhol plant, which is owned by Ratnagiri Gas and Power (RGPPL). Taking this into account, the present shortage is considered high as the state was getting only 350 MW from Dabhol during last summer. Dabhol is running only one gas-based unit now. The remaining two units are up for renovation, which may cost almost Rs 1,500 crore to the company, said sources.
The island city of Mumbai will not face load shedding now as the private power utilities have already sourced additional power to alleviate the situation.
The overall generation capacity for the entire state stands at 11,985 MW, of which MahaGenco has the largest share at 9,711 MW, followed by Tata Power Company (1,774 MW) and Reliance Energy (500 MW).
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