New Delhi   

Capital gears up to tackle power shortage

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Himachal, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala to provide additional 1,157 MW power

NEW DELHI: Some good news first. Delhi has managed to broker deals with three States to supply an additional 1,157 MW of power between July and September this year. The bad news is that the Capital will still face a shortage of 300 to 350 MW between April and June.

The Delhi Government's Power Department has managed to procure 750 MW from Madhya Pradesh, up to 250 MW from Himachal Pradesh, and 157 MW from Kerala. The Capital is also banking on an additional 150 MW from Kerala.

"We are going to be in a fairly comfortable situation. We have managed to make adequate power arrangements for the forthcoming summer months," said State Principal Secretary Power and CMD of Delhi Transco Rakesh Mehta. Mr. Mehta expressed optimism that the city would get "the expected additional power soon from the unallocated share of Central public sector undertakings and through bilateral agreements".

To tide over the crisis that it is expected to face in April, the Power Department is now waiting for Madhya Pradesh to commission its power plant that will generate 500 MW of power. "We are hopeful that the plant will be commissioned by the end of April. Once that happens we will buy the entire power," Mr. Mehta said.

Delhi's power distribution companies will have to resort to power cuts if the city fails to procure the additional 500 MW from Madhya Pradesh between April and June.

As per the agreements, Madhya Pradesh will supply 750 MW on a round-the-clock basis from July 1 to October 30. Distribution licensees have also signed agreements with the Power Trading Corporation (PTC) for sourcing power from Himachal Pradesh of quantum varying from 110 MW in April, 134 MW in May and June and 250 MW from July to October.

Power purchase agreements for the months of April to June have also been signed with PTC for sourcing 157 MW from Kerala.

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