Lakhanpur: Several areas in Odisha are witnessing frequent power cuts as power generation came to a halt in two units of the Ib Thermal Power Station (ITPS) run by the Odisha Power Generation Corporation Ltd (OPGC) at Banharpalli in Jharsuguda district.
As a result, power generation of 420 megawatts was completely stopped from the station. OPGC authorities had halted the power generation from Unit-2 July 17 midnight after seeking permission from the state government and the Grid Corporation of Odisha (Gridco) for annual maintenance and repair. It will take at least 14 days to complete the maintenance work before resuming power generation, sources in the OPGC said.
Meanwhile, power generation was continuing from Unit-1 when a sudden technical snag July 24 (Tuesday) night compelled the authorities to close down the unit.
When contacted, Himanshu Behera, public relations officer, OPGC, said the Unit-1 had to be closed down after oil leakage was noticed from the generator at 9.50 pm July 24. The repairing will take three to four days and only after that power generation from the unit can be resumed, he said.
Sources said though the OPGC authorities spend crores of rupees towards maintenance and repair of these two units every year, there is frequent disruption in power generation.
The power station is a profit making unit of the state-owned OPGC and is a joint venture between the state government and US-based AES Corporation.
It is alleged that faulty management by AES Corporation, which has 49 percent stake in the ITPS, is responsible for frequent disruption of power from the station. The state government has 51 per cent stake in the power station.
However, AES enjoys more power than the state government and calls the shots in the management of the power station, it was learnt.
Observers pointed out that though the power station is a profit making unit some vested interests have overlooked its maintenance and are using it as a milch cow. As a result, the units are developing technical snags at frequent intervals leading to halt in power generation and loss of revenue for the state government.
The halt in power generation has also given rise to power shortage in the state. Workers apprehended that if urgent steps are not taken by the government then power generation might completely stop from the power station in future.
This is the fifth time that power generation from the two units of ITPS has been stopped.
Similar incidents had taken place July 24 in 2011, and thrice May 13, July 30 and September 7 in 2014.
PNN
