Power situation has worsened with monsoon playing truant this time bringing more power cuts for domestic and industrial sector.
The Eastern Power Distribution Company of Ltd has not experienced such a worst scenario in recent years. Generally with the onset of monsoon, the demand for power in domestic sector comes down significantly. However, with summer condition prevailing in most part of the day, several consumers have not stopped using air-conditioners. The demand in domestic sector in EPDCL jurisdiction has not come down by 300 MW due to monsoon failure till now.
As against a demand of 40 million units, the supply is 30 million units. “As a result, we are being constrained to resort to a load relief of 10 million units,” EPDCL Director (Operations) H.Y. Dora told The Hindu on Saturday.
He said there was not much relief in temperatures. The load on domestic front was not falling on expected lines during the season this time, he said.
This has led to huge gap in demand and supply. The hydel power production has not picked up in the State with total dependence on thermal power.
The domestic sector at present is facing three hours power cut – two during day and one in evening. Due to deteriorating situation, interruptions are also occurring frequently.
Duration of power cuts may go up further if there is no remarkable improvement in the situation.
EPDCL is able to supply 1290 MW as against demand of 1800 to 1900 MW. Mr. Dora said the government was trying to regulate power supply in the best possible way under the given situation with priority to domestic and agriculture sectors.
The industry suffered a lot during summer.
The EPDCL restored three days power cut per week from June 1 and after a representation from Visakha Autonagar Small Scale Industrialists’ Welfare Association (VASSIWA), it was reduced to one day from June 15. Three days holiday was again revived from June 29.
“We want to represent to the EPDCL top brass on Monday to impose one day holiday so as to save several units from brink of closure,” said VASSIWA president Ramakrishna Narappareddy.
