The Hindu : National : CERC to hear petition on over drawing power

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Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007
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CERC to hear petition on over drawing power

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Maharashtra has been adversely affected by the Northern States overdrawing power from the National Grid since the beginning of this month and the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has taken up the matter with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

The Commission will shortly hear a petition on this issue filed by the PGCIL. Official sources said the Northern Region Load Dispatch Centre lodged a complaint with the CERC against the Northern States, comprising Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana, which are drawing more power than they are permitted to.

There are unscheduled power cuts in Maharashtra since the beginning of November due to the Northern states frequently taking more than their due from the National grid.

State Energy Minister Dilip Walse Patil recently met Union Minister for Power Sushil Kumar Shinde on this issue and the Power Ministry has directed the PGCIL to take action.

Maharashtra which has a shortage of 4500 MW at present faced this problem last year as well.

Load shedding in the State ranges from 3.5 hours in urban areas to 12 hours in rural areas.

To reduce load shedding, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is buying 700 MW of costly power from the open market.

During peak hour demand, 1,500 MW of hydro power is also generated to meet it. Even after observing the load shedding protocol, incidents of undeclared power cuts are on rise, official sources said.

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