Even as people are enjoying the bliss of winter, on the power generation front, it’s time for annual stock taking as about ten of the thermal power units of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MSPGCL) across the State are under shutdown. While the reasons for closure of thermal units are many, the prime one is lower demand, as during winter, the electric appliances that guzzle the power are not in use. With many parts of the State witnessing extreme chill, MahaGenco has taken off many units to dust up, overhaul the thermal power units as it braces up for the extreme power demand that lies ahead. As per information, about six thermal power units across various capacities of MahaGenco are closed as per zero schedule.

 

This indicates no demand-based generation stoppage. Running thermal power plants is very costly affair. In winter, these thermal units are shut down and thoroughly cleaned, machinery overhauled, the maintenance schedule is quite heavy and time consuming process. So in winter, MahaGenco shuts down many of its units as the thermal power plants carry out heavy overhaul. From February onwards, the power demands rises, and then, during the peak summer season, when all the power stations require to fire up all the engines, the winter offers perfect time to maintain the power plants. Across the State, Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station(CSTPS) is the single largest contributor to State grid, having installed capacity of 2920 MW through two 5x500 and 2x210 MW, of which, one unit no.

 

7 is taken off the grid. At present, Chandrapur is contributing 848 MW of power that means another two units are the station might have been under annual overhaul. Similarly, one unit of 660 MW at Bhusawal is presently under repair and its installed capacity is 1420 MW, that includes 2x210 and 2x500 MW units, and its regular feed currently is just 559 MW. A 250 MW unit at Parli is also closed for scheduled maintenance, while the one unit at Nashik Thermal Plant is closed as the coal is diverted to other units.

 

All thermal power units work as per merit order dispatch, the lowest generation rate gets preference. Since in winter time, overall power demand weakens, MahaGenco has no option but to stop the generation. At present, the thermal power generation from MahaGenco ranges from 4572 to 4938 MW with Gas contributing about 406 MW and Hydro 59 MW. The installed capacity of Gas is about 672 in State and that of hydro is 580. Solar intake of MahaGenco is about 428 MW that helps in stabilising the grid. Presently, from Nashik, about 329 MW is being generated, about 1724 from Koradi and 778 from Khaparkheda, just above 50 per cent of its installed capacity which is about 1340 MW. Independent Power Producers (IPP) is contributing about 8891 MW, which takes the total generation in State to 14,106 MW. 

 

 

Despite winter, the demand for power is still steady, around 23,334 MW, while current generation in State is about 15,124 MW, indicating stable industrial power demand. Besides Maharashtra is one of the leading State in country having biggest urban centres. Due to this the power demand remains on the higher side. State is drawing about 8165 MW from Central pool to meet the demand even as its units undergo annual overhaul to be ready for churning out power during the peak demand in summer time.