The Hindu : New Delhi News : Power cuts: Government goes into damage control mode

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Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008
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New Delhi

Power cuts: Government goes into damage control mode

Staff Reporter

30 under-frequency breakdowns reported on Tuesday alone

Government is blaming other States for the shortage

NEW DELHI: As the Capital continues to face power cuts with over 30 under-frequency breakdowns reported on Tuesday alone, the Delhi Government is hoping for a turnaround. The Government is expecting the power availability to increase in about two weeks.

Facing public anger for the frequent and prolonged power cuts, the Power Department on Tuesday went into damage control mode. It sent out a statement explaining the reasons for the power shortfall and the steps that are being taken to meet the energy needs

To begin with, the Government has blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation and a dip in power generation in other States for the shortage being faced in Delhi.

The department claimed that though distribution companies had made arrangement on bilateral basis with various States including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, power shortage in these States has led to a shortfall in Delhi. Delhi was losing out on 100 MW from Uttarakhand, 180 MW from Karnataka and another 100 MW from Madhya Pradesh.

“A power purchase agreement was signed with DVC in 2007-08 for supply of 400 MW, but due to delay in the commissioning of its units no power is being received,” the statement claimed, adding, “In addition, due to less availability of gas, the power generation within Delhi has also been reduced by about 60-70 MW.” Stepping in for the discoms, the department claimed that despite aggressive participation in bidding at the power exchange for rates as high as Rs.9.50, they have been unsuccessful in procuring power.

“Due to the sudden shortage of water in the rivers, hydro power generation has also reduced resulting in less availability of power for Delhi especially from Tehri Dam and Nathpa Jhakri,” it said.

Frequent load-shedding has been justified as a step that saves the grid from collapse when the frequency dips due to overdrawing.

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