Orissa, which had a power deficit a few years ago, will once again be a power surplus state in 2012-13.
?The state will become power surplus in the next two years,? said state energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak. Stating that the state has initiated the process of setting up 30 power projects in both government and private sectors, the minister said some of these projects would be able to generate 2400 mw this fiscal and about 2950 mw by 2012-13. Of the 2950 mw, the state would get about 1400 mw to meet its power demand, he added.
Orissa is currently facing power deficit to the tune of 400 mw. The minister, while replying to an adjournment motion in the Orissa House on Thursday, said due to scanty rainfall, the water stored in reservoirs was 30 to 35% less this year compared to 2007-08. As a result of which the generation from the hydro power station fell short by about 2000 million units (MU).
Moreover, the rapid industrialization, rural electrification and increase in domestic consumers accentuated the power crisis.
Nayak said the state government made an endeavour to save the state from power cuts during the summer by sourcing power from captive generating plants (CGPs), the central grid though overdrawal and merchant banking. Despite the efforts the power shortage remained at 250 to 300 mw. There was no option before the government than to resort to load regulation from March 8, 2010 to May 9, 2010. The power cut has been lifted since May 10, he added.