The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Power holiday for industries

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 09, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Power holiday for industries

Staff Reporter

No end to CPDCL’s struggle with nagging power shortage

Industries “advised” to schedule weekly holiday according to power holiday
Adding to woes of industries is zero generation from the hydel units

HYDERABAD: Power shortage continues to dog the Central Power Distribution Company Limited, which has of late, slipped back to its old habit of industrial load reliefs. Industries in nine districts under its jurisdiction using high tension supply lines are being subject to a weekly power holiday, as part of CPDCL’s struggle with the nagging shortage of power.

Special status

As their special status with regard to power cuts had gone, the industries were subject to a harrying power holiday regime of three days per week during peak summer. Later, the duration was reduced to two days, and then to one day, as the power availability situation improved. With the arrival of Reliance gas and the subsequent generation from the gas-based power plants, the power holidays were successfully brought to nil.

Failed monsoon

However, it proved to be only a fleeting spell of joy for the industries.

The weekly power holiday is back due to shortage of power. Though there has been no official announcement, the industries were reportedly informed by the local officials about the power holiday, and also advised to schedule their weekly holiday accordingly.

“Consumption had not declined till a few days ago due to failed monsoon. Only for the last couple of days, has it come down due to overcast weather conditions. Agricultural consumption soared with the onset of kharif season. Central share of power has come down as a few units have been taken for overhauling,” an official said sharing the reasons for the power holiday.

Overdraft

Added to the woes is the zero generation from the hydel units. According to sources, the CPDCL’s overdraft is equal to the State’s overdraft from the grid.

While the demand hovers around 4,400 megawatts, the company’s share from the grid is only about 3,100 MW, expandable by 500 MW. However, the company presently draws about 3,900 MW from the grid.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh