Unable to purchase gas for running their plants, power generation companies Indraprastha Power Generation Corporation Limited (IPGCL) and Pragati Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) have told the Delhi Government that they will have to regulate power supply to the city. The gencos have not been paid by the discoms BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) for power and the total outstanding amount has gone up to Rs. 2,839.33 crore.
On Monday, the gencos reiterated their financial constraints and made it explicit that unless the money comes in the next few days, the companies will have no option but to suspend supply.
“The gencos have not been able to pay for the gas that they need to run the plants. The gas bills for the power generation between August 1 and 15 are overdue, we have made part payment to the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), but there still are huge sums of money to be paid. Despite several reminders to the discoms, they have not paid the money that they owe us. We have no option but to seek regulation of supply,” said a senior official of a genco.
The gencos will send a representation to the Delhi Government in the next few days to issue a notice to the discoms to either pay up or face action. “On account of acute financial crisis, IPGCL and PPCL have not been able to make full payment of gas supplied by GAIL for the past fortnight.
GAIL has already been asked not to revoke the clauses of fuel supply agreement to stop gas supply. But if there is no payment from the discoms, then generation of power at Pragati Power I and III and Gas Turbine Station will have to be suspended,” the official said.
The five power generation companies BPTS, Raj Ghat, Bawana, Gas Turbine and Pragati Power that together contribute under 2,000 MW to the Delhi power pool have been pushed towards closure on account of severe financial crises brought on by non-payment of dues by BYPL and BRPL.
