Power system faltered in UP due to scorching heat, undeclared cuts from village to city made bad condition

The power supply of the state has faltered due to the huge increase in demand due to the scorching heat. Villages are unable to get electricity for the whole night, while in urban areas, the situation is getting worse due to unannounced cuts. The availability of electricity has reduced due to the closure of 3615 MW capacity units of public and private sector in the state. On the other hand, due to the closure of all the units of the central sector, there has been a decrease in the quota of UP. So far in April, the State Electricity Generation Corporation has suffered a loss of 280 million (28 crore) units of electricity generation.

At present, there is no sign of improvement in the supply situation in the state. Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma himself is also of the opinion that due to mismanagement, the power system in the state has collapsed. On one hand the production units are not cooperating and on the other hand the distribution and transmission network is also proving to be unsuccessful in keeping the supply system smooth. In rural areas, electricity is not available as per the roster. Overload system is becoming a hindrance in urban areas.

Up to 8 hours cut in villages

According to the internal report of Power Corporation, an average of 7:57 hours was cut in villages, 6:02 hours at Tehsil Headquarters, 6:17 hours in Nagar Panchayats and 6:51 hours in Bundelkhand. The report has claimed 24-hour supply to district and divisional headquarters, metros and industries, but the situation at the ground level in the entire state including the capital is different.

Many units closed in UP

In the state, Obra's 200 MW, Anpara 210 MW, Meja, Bara, Harduaganj and Lalitpur's 660-660 MW each, Harduaganj 250 MW besides Bajaj Hindustan's 315 MW capacity units are running closed.

Coal shortage persists

According to Wednesday's report, six days coal is left in Anpara, four days each in Obra and Harduaganj and one day in Parichha. Due to this shortcoming the thermal units are not running at full capacity. The daily requirement of coal is 87900 metric tonnes for the power stations of the state, whereas only 61000 metric tonnes are being supplied.

Demand 22 thousand

The power demand in UP has crossed 22,000 MW. While the maximum supply is 19,250 MW. Since the demand for electricity has increased across North India, import of surplus power from the grid is not possible. Anyway, most of the time, the rates of unscheduled interchange (import more than the prescribed quota) in the grid are running around Rs 8 per unit and power is available at the energy exchange at a higher rate, so it is not possible to buy additional power. Corporation officials are raising their hands by saying that there is no electricity in the market.

8 trains canceled to clear the way for coal goods trains

For uninterrupted supply of coal, eight passenger trains of Moradabad division have been canceled so that priority can be given to goods trains carrying coal. Moradabad Divisional Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (Senior DCM) Sudhir Singh said that the consumption of electricity has increased tremendously in summer. At the same time, there is a shortage of coal in the power stations as well. Work is also being done by the Railway Administration for uninterrupted supply of coal to the power stations. Senior DCM informed that priority is being given to goods trains carrying coal at smooth and fast speed. Due to which it has been decided to cancel eight trains till further orders.

13 to 17 rupees per unit of electricity in power exchange

Amidst the power crisis in the country and the state, once again the game of profiteering has started in the power exchange. Defying the orders of the Union Ministry of Power and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, electricity is being sold in the power exchange at Rs 13 to 17 per unit. The Commission has fixed its maximum limit at Rs 12 per unit.