MSEB already has excess power during non-peak hours as industries are not using power at night and these spare capacities are being diverted to these centres. According to the board's sources Maharashtra State Electricity Board is also expected to have additional excess power of around 1,650mw in the next few months. Technical trials have begun at Dabhol and the charging date has beenscheduled for December 16, 1998. Around 650mw is going to come from the Dabhol power project. Another 1,000mw is expected from the Koyna power plan which has entered its fourth stage by early 1999.

Meanwhile, MSEB has launched a Rs 98.79 crore system improvement and renovation project in Pune. The Power Finance Corporation has already committed Rs 30 crore for the first phase of the three-year project. The state electricity board will also be tapping cooperative banks for funds for this project.

This is the first such overhaul, since MSEB took over from the Tata Electric Supply Company in 1963. The project will be inaugurated by deputy chief minister Gopinath Munde on December 2. The renovation process includes replacement of transformers, express feeders, shifting over to an underground cable network throughout the city and placement of high tension cables.