Load shedding hits western region on MPSEB overdrawal

Sanjay Jog

Mumbai, Jan 1: The western region, comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Goa, has been forced to carry out a daily load shedding of a record 3,500 mw mainly because of the overdrawal of 600 mw by the loss-making Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB). Although, the western region has a daily requirement of 25,000 mw, the availability was only 21,500 mw.

The state-run PowerGrid Corporation, which plays the role of western region load dispatch centre (WRLDC), has already filed a petition before the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) against the overdrawal of power by MPSEB. The WRLDC has voiced strong concern over the MPSEB’s reluctance to adhere to the grid management schedule.

WRLDC deputy general manager Anjan Roy told The Financial Express that the WRLDC has formulated an action plan to avert a major grid collapse and thereby maintain grid security. “The SEBs have been asked strictly to adhere to the power drawal schedule and desist from overdrawal below 49 HZ,” he said.

Mr Roy said that the WRLDC has recommended an hourly load shedding in the western region to avoid a major grid collapse. Of the total availability of power of 21,500 mw, Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) has a share of 10,500 mw, Gujarat Electricity Board 6,500 mw, MPSEB 1,000 mw, Chhatisgarth State Electricity Board 1,000 mw and 5,900 mw from National Thermal Power Corporation and Nuclear Power Corporation.

Mr Roy said that the WRLDC has suggested that the western region can overcome the power shortage of at least 1,000 mw by the drawal of peak and offpeak power available from independent power producers. Nearly 1,100 mw of power would be available during peak period from Essar (300 mw), GPEC (650 mw) and Tata Power Company (150 mw). The offpeak capacity of 1,550 mw would come from AEC (100 mw), Essar (300 mw), GPEC (650 mw), Tata Power Company (400 mw) and BSES Ltd (100 mw).

According to Mr Roy, MPSEB and GEB have been asked to take up with CSEB, Goa and Power Trading Corporation for the utilisation of surplus power within and outside the region to ease the power shortfall problem.