The Hindu : National : Power shortage in South continues

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Power shortage in South continues

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the recent spurt in monsoon activity in parts of south India, the power situation in majority of the States there, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, continues to be grim.

However, things seem to have improved considerably in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

According to the latest data provided by the National Power Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Power, in Andhra Pradesh, the total energy requirement as of August 10 was 178.86 million units and the supply was 131.02 million units, a deficit of 26.7 per cent.

Karnataka had an energy requirement of 118 million units, against a supply of 76.64 million units; Kerala 41.44 million units against a supply 35.56 million units, Tamil Nadu 197 million units against a supply of 185.67 million units.

In Maharashtra, the demand stood at 259.95 million units against a supply of 239.90 million units, a deficit of 7.7 per cent, indicating a much improved situation. In Uttar Pradesh, the demand stood at 177.60 million units against a supply of 150.74 million units.

Peak-hour demand

As for the peak hour demand, Andhra Pradesh had a peak demand of 7,188 MW, against a supply of 5,951 MW, a deficit of 17.2 per cent; in the case of Karnataka 4,742 MW against a supply of 4,272 MW, a deficit of 9.9 per cent; Kerala 2,000 MW against a supply of 1,731 MW, a deficit of 13.5 per cent. In the case of Tamil Nadu, it was 8,599 MW against a supply of 8,126 MW, a deficit of 5.5 per cent.

Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh was, however, hopeful that with the revival of monsoon over the South, the reservoirs would receive adequate water from the catchment areas and the hydro projects would start operations in full swing.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and will provide whatever help possible to the States, which are faced with deficit of power,” he said.

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