Power situation improves in Orissa, yet 3-hour cut must…

• The deficit energy situation in the State leading to unscheduled and frequent power cuts has, in the meantime, improved to some extent with the Energy Department now holding that to manage the situation for a few days more it has to continue with minimum three hours of power cut daily - two hours during day time and one hour at night. The problem started with drastic reduction of power generation at the thermal power units including the NTPC at Kaniha due to shortage in coal supply resulting from reduction in the production level of coal for various reasons. On the other hand, coal price in the international market has gone up, putting pressure on the power generating units. Although the Coal India has stuck to its price level, its subsidiary, the Mahanadi Coalfield, has effected a change on the plea of higher production charges.

• This is a major fact or which has influenced power generation at the thermal power plants that made up three-fourths of the State's total energy requirement. This apart, dependable hydro-power plant sources like the Balimela, Indravati and Upper Kolab plants have gone lean on production, generating only 10 mw each. However, after two units of the Ib Valley Project, The Sterlite Energy and the NTPC at Kaniha agreed to provide 160 mw, 320 mw and 150 mw more, the deficit has slid to 300-350 mw, promising some improvement in the grim situation. The Energy Department has also asked the captive power plants of various industries to generate power to their full capacity which may help tide over the crisis completely.

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