Maharashtra to get 700 MW to overcome power crisis

The Union Power Ministry assured Maharashtra that it will be provided with additional 700 mw of power, to help the state tide over the current power crisis.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Power Minister Ajit Pawar met Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on the issue.

 “The Union Power Ministry has promised to provide 700 Mw additional power to the state,” a statement by Mahavitaran — state utility — said.

The state will get 200 Mw from the Sipat plant of the National Thermal Power Corporation in Chhattisgarh and 100 Mw from the Central quota from this midnight.

“We will get 200 Mw from NTPC’s Vindhyachal plant in Madhya Pradesh from October 14, 100 Mw from its Gandhar plant in Gujarat from October 17, and 100 Mw from the Korba plant in Chhattisgarh from October 18,” the statement said. Besides, two rakes of coal will be made available within a day or two to Mahagenco which will enable the state generation company to produce 700-800 Mw, the release said.

In addition, 0.9 mmscmd gas will be made available for the Ratnagiri Gas and Power project. This will enable generation of 180-200 Mw electricity which will be available in 8-10 days, the release said. At present, the peak hour demand is 16,000 Mw while the availability is around 11,000 Mw only, therefore, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company has to impose load shedding.