MUMBAI, February 7: With the signing of a recent pact between eastern and western regions, 180 MW of excess power will be routed from the eastern region to the western region.However, out of this a major share of 100 MW is being given to Kerala in the southern region which has around 20 per cent shortage of power. This additional supply of power to Kerala has been started last week. In a severe power-deficit situation, even 100 MW of power is being considered some relief for Kerala.
The plans for inter-state distribution of power was being discussed for a long time but due to certain technical and commercial issues the decision was not finalised.
"The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has sorted out these issues recently. As per the decision the excess power from eastern region will be supplied to western region for a duration of six months at a fixed rate plus transmission charges," said officials from the CEA. The power will be transmitted through Powergrid's network in the eastern region. Apartfrom the fixed charges the wheeling charges for intermediary systems of Orissa in eastern region and Madhya Pradesh in western region will also be paid by the receiver. However, the loss of power during transportation will be considered as reduced commercial transmission, they added. The eastern region, which has surplus power, has been supplying to Madhya Pradesh, Andhara Pradesh and Assam.
The CEA has been working to have better power-supply management in the country, they said. On one hand, there are some states where power shortage is acute, while, on the other hand, there are some states which have excess power, said officials, adding that inter-state transmission of power can improve the situation to a certain extent.
The regulatory authority is improving the power evacuation facilities to export electricity from the power-surplus region to the power-deficit one. This is to make the maximum use of the power generated in the nation, officials said.
However, the country has to urgently increase thegeneration capacity as these measures are not for a permanent solution.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
