MSEDCL hints at load-shedding, pitches for less consumption
   Date :11-Oct-2021

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Staff Reporter :
 
Hinting at inevitable, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) said load-shedding may be needed as the rising in demand is inverse to the power generation at present. The deficit is growing as consumption is rising fast and gap is now nearly 3,000 MW. MSEDCL has asked citizens to scale down consumption during the peak morning and evening hours. Blaming it on low supply of coal, MSEDCL said nearly 13 units are shut down due to scarcity and added that it is keeping alternative plan to avoid power outages in State. The coal crisis is widening and apart from State-run Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MahaGenco) plants, even independent power producers and NTPC units are faced with short supplies.
 
Therefore, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), MSEDCL, said there is need to reduce power consumption from 6 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm. During this period, the demand for power is at the highest but current generation is failing to keep pace with the rising need. Already there is deficit of 3300 MW, as total generation of power in State is currently at 11,777 MW, this includes 5,672 MW of MahaGenco and 4,496 from Independent Power Producers (IPP) and 1,609 MW from Hydro. From Central grid, MSEDCL share is 5,199 MW while it is drawing 5,268 MW to cope with increased demand in State. Ample rains have ensured that State can run the Hydro units at full power till the thermal units are back in the grid while MSEDCL bosses are also trying spot purchases and power exchange. MSEDCL said thermal power generation has been declining for the last few days due to coal shortage across the country.
 
Among the 13 sets of thermal power plants supplying power to MSEDCL that have been shut down due to lack of coal including MahaGenco's Chandrapur, Bhusawal and Nashik units 210 MW each, Paras-250 MW and Bhusawal and Chandrapur's 500 MW each have been shut down. Apart from this, four sets of 640 MW of Postal Gujarat Power Limited (Gujarat) and three sets of 810 MW of Ratan India Power Limited (Amravati) are also shut down. As a result, MSEDCL is getting less form the contracted power from thermal power plants. Though power is being procured from the open market to fill the gap of 3330 MW between demand and availability of electricity, the rates in market have shot up considerably as across country the shortage of coal has resulted in dip in the production. Due to the increase in demand for electricity across the country, the purchase price of electricity is becoming more expensive. About 700 MW of electricity is being procured from the open market at a rate of Rs 13.60 per unit. This morning, 900 MW of electricity was purchased at Rs 6.23 per unit through real time transactions.
 
In addition, electricity is being provided through Koyna Dam as well as other small hydropower plants and non-conventional energy sources, the MSEDCL statement said. Demand for electricity has also increased due to rising temperatures in the State as coal scarcity is getting darker. MSEDCL supplied 17,289 MW of electricity in the State (excluding Mumbai) on Saturday. Due to rains in some parts of the State in the last 24 hours demand for electricity eased providing relief to crisis managers. At 11.30 am on Sunday, there was a demand of 18,200 MW in the state and 15,800 MW in the working area of MSEDCL. MSEDCL said as shortage could increase in days to come, electricity should be sparingly used to balance the supply and demand. Reducing the consumption of electricity during the peak demand period will reduce the gap between demand and availability and there will be no need for load shedding.