MSEDCL spokesperson in Mumbai said, “The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), in its order last week, has directed the MSEDCL to stop giving any grid support to the captive power project (CPP) in Pune from March 31. So loadshedding seems to be imminent in Pune. Hence, we have informed the CII, Baramati Vyapari Maha Sangh Ltd, Thane Small Scale Industries Association and members of Prayas Energy Group in Pune to come up with some kind of solutions to keep loadshedding at bay.”

In its order, the commission has asked the MSEDCL to appoint a franchisee to identify surplus power and enter into a power purchase agreement, which has to be done before April 1, otherwise one and a half hours of loadshedding daily will become a reality.

When contacted, Pradeep Bhargava, the newly-appointed chairman of the Maharashtra State Council of CII, said, “ The MERC has given a short deadline to the MSEDCL to appoint a franchisee which itself is a tough task and the company should ask for a time-extension. Secondly, the MSEDCL itself has informed the CII and others to come up with some sort of solution within two days and present it in a meeting.”