The city faced load-shedding spells that ranged up to four hours in various areas on Monday, with a mere 22 MW available from Tata Power Trading Company (TPTC). To ensure total relief from load-shedding, the city, which has a daily demand of 800 MW, requires 173 MW from TPTC.

If the demand-supply gap for power increases further, citizens will have to brace up to longer power cuts, MSEDCL officials said. Pune division chairman S P Nagtilak said with the onset of summer the demand has risen and there is likely to be fluctuation in the availaibility of electricity from the franchisee.

Subash Dhakare, executive engineer, zone office, said the demand in the state has gone up by at least 300-400 MW. In Pune there was a shortfall of 86 per cent today owing to supply of just 22 MW from TPTC. Nagtilak said the planned load-shedding in groups A, B, and C would be carried out if power from TPTC should remain scarce.

During summer, the deficit goes up since power consumption is more, said Pradeep Bhargava, chairman of the western unit of the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII). So far Pune had not faced power cuts but the situation might not be the same in the hot summer months till May, he said.

Shantanu Dixit, member of the Prayas energy group, expressed hope that there would be less power cuts due to the Pune model of zero load-shedding. Sajag Nagrik Manch president Vivek Velankar urged the state government to give utmost attention to Ratnagiri Gas & Power Private Ltd so that the state is assured supply during summer.

Velankar has also urged the MSEDCL authorities to implement the bi-monthly billing system for residential consumers. He alleged that there were several complaints from consumers on billing errors like faulty or no meter reading. Another frequent complaint of late is the delayed disbursal of electricity bills that forces city consumers to pay late fees.

Gap between demand & supply
800 MW
City’s daily demand

173 MW
Requirement from Tata Power to ensure zero load-shedding

22 MW
Actual supply from Tata Power on Monday

1,250 MW
Demand at Energy Exchange from subscribers