While Dabhol Power Corp is believed to be ready to start-up, it claims it is waiting for a go-ahead from MSEB, which it says is yet to complete the setting up of a second line of distribution. MSEB, on the other hand, says its first line is adequate to wheel power, but it is the one waiting for a green signal from Dabhol following which it will start mandatory procedures before starting distribution.

The board maintains that it can evacuate the entire Phase I generation of 740mw of Dabhol from the already commissioned Dabhol-Koyna transmission line. Once the Dabhol project is ready for commercial operations, the board would be informed and a trial run carried out in the presence of its officials.

MSEB would then observe supply patterns for 24 hours before theplant is commissioned. The board is also setting up another transmission line from Dabhol to Nagothane, which is yet to be completed. "Though the Dhabol-Koyna line can take the load, the Nagothane connection is also needed as a stand-by facility," said a senior MSEB official.

Sources, however, say that a single line has not been able to take the full Dabhol load during the trial runs, and therefore the Nagothane connection is integral to successful distribution of the Dabhol power. In turn, however, the sources also say that the Dabhol equipment has also had vibration problems.

DPC can start supplying power on the existing system. The company is insured against risk of any interruption in power supply arising from a natural calamity.

On the other hand, if any obstruction occurs due to technical faults in the transmission system, MSEB will have to pay up for power generation to DPC which will operate the plant on a 90 per cent load factor. According to sources, the company has an understanding with theboard and will give it time to rectify the problem.

The stand by-transmission line will also give MSEB extra leverage on power distribution. Both transmission circles are being constructed by KEC International, the RPG group company. The system will be owned and maintained by MSEB. DPC has already started supplying electricity to the state grid last year on a trial basis. The company is entitled to get fuel and not capacity charges for power supplied before commissioning of the plant.

MSEB and DPC still have time to get their act together as according to the power purchase agreement (PPA), the plant should be commissioned by April this year.

As transmission is the responsibility of the state electricity boards, MSEB plans to put the system in place before the private power projects are commissioned.

The board has also given another contract to the Calcutta-based Electrical Manufacturing Company (EMC) and Jyoti Structures of Mumbai to build a transmission system for evacuation of additional power oncephase 2 of 1444mw is also commissioned. It will take around two years to complete the network.