The state run Grid Corporation signed an agreement with New Delhi Power Trading Corporation to avail 150 MW power on a daily basis from tomorrow till March end.
The barter system based agreement says that Orissa will get 150 MW per day from NDPTC till 31 March to overcome the shortage during summer months. After six months, Orissa will provide the same quantum of power plus another five per cent to NDPTC.
Orissa which used to boast of being a power surplus state, largely due to low demand both on the industrial and agriculture sector, is now banking heavily on NDPTC and captive power plants of industrial houses to tide over the summer.
Energy minister Mr Suryanarayan Patro whose tall claim ~ "till Naveen Patnaik is in power, Orissa will never face load shedding or power cut" was rudely hit by the power crisis, today said the shortfall was due to drop in hydro power generation and dipping reservoir levels.
The rains, a usual spell during October-November last, failed resulting in low reservoir levels.
In fact the power utilities have been regulating hydro power generation literally saving each drop of water for the summer.
Besides, the state government has moved Bhusan Steel, Jindal Steel and Nalco to provide power from their captive power stations. It went out of the way to plead with the Central government for coal to Nalco so that it could maintain its generation levels.
The economic slow down and its impact on industries which have cut down on production levels came as a boon for the state as their power requirement has dropped.
Reliable sources said if 150 MW comes from NDPTC, Gridco can actually sell power. The shortfall as on date is to the order of 250 MW. If Bhusan Steel and other private companies provide electricity there will be a surplus again and it can be traded, noted these sources.
The state has a demand of over 1900 MW with peak hour demand going up to 2300 MW while its generation level is 2100 MW.
Hydro power generation is being regulated and water conserved for months of March, April and May.
The basic question in this crisis management scenario is as to why the state failed to add even a single megawatt to its generation capacity over the last eight years and why proposals like the AES Ib Valley stage 3 and 4 were inordinately delayed. The state has signed over 20 MoU’s with independent power producers but not many have moved beyond the signing ceremony.
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