Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Oct 9: The state government is planning to purchase power from captive power plants as well as other states to ease a power crisis that shows no signs of abating ahead of the festive season despite the monsoon picking up of late.
State-run Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco) – entrusted with the business of bulk purchase and sale of power – has written to 24 captive power plants (CPPs) in the state seeking to procure power, sources said.
Gridco would however have to wait for the approval of the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission before procuring power from the captive plants at a cost of 2.75 paise per unit – around Rs 300 crore in total.
Gridco director (commerce) PK Pradhan said purchasing electricity was necessitated by the power crisis.
However, sources say the move will likely result in additional burden on the consumers.
The state government, after a fresh spell of rains, had recently said it would impose power cuts only till October and not till June of next year as originally announced. But low power generation has meant that the situation is unlikely to improve before Durga Puja, forcing the government to purchase power from neighbouring states and captive power plants.
While the state used to generate 1,750 MW from the hydropower sector during peak hours and 1,000 MW during normal hours, it is now being able to produce only 750 MW to 850 MW due to half-filled water reservoirs.
Sources said Energy department officials are likely to meet October 9 to decide on the future course of action.
