Maharashtra Energy minister Nitin Raut has said that the state government has decided to buy additional power from Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL) in order to avoid load shedding and ensure a smooth supply of electricity.
The power demand is is expected to reach 30,000 MW very soon.Currently, the power exchange rate is Rs 12 per unit. Considering the higher rate, CGPL will provide electricity at Rs 5.50 and Rs 5.7 per unit, which will mitigate the economic burden on the state-run Mahavitaran.
Ths state cabinet approved to explore various options of power purchases by the state-run Mahavitaran to meet growing power demand and in turn avoid load shedding.
Due to the hot summer, the highest demand of the state has reached 28,489 MW. This is an increase of 8.2 per cent over the previous year.
The decision was taken at a special meeting of Council of Ministers held today which was chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The Cabinet also decided that the Board of Directors of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) could take the necessary decision regarding the power purchase agreement as decided by the Union Ministry of Power.
The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) was allowed to procure electricity for a short period of time till June 15, 2022, until the power generation and availability situation in the state was restored.
Power Position of Maharashtra State as on 7.4.2022:
1. Installed capacity of MahaGenco:
a. Total Thermal: 9540MW
b. Hydro: 2580MW
c. Gas: 672MW
d. Solar:207MW
e. Total: 12999 MW
2. Daily Coal Requirement: 1,38,710 Metric Tons (MT)
3. Receipt of Raw Coal: 83036 MT and 29516 MT
4. Closing Stock as on today (7.4.2022):643994 MT just for @4 days
5. Issues: In adequate coal supply from Coal India Limited (CIL)
6. Also, there is an issue of availability of rakes/wagons
7. There is coal shortage across country and therefore there is shortage power in market. However, demand for power due to summer has increased.
8. Supply from – (position as on 5 PM date: 7.4.2022)
a. MahaGenco: 9232 MW
b. Central Sector: 6900MW
c. Private: 8028 MW
d. Power Demand for the State: ranging from 27,000MW-28,500MW
e. Mumbai Power Demand: 3,400 MW
f. Power demand of Mahavitaran: ranging from 24,500 -25,100 MW
g. Power Shortage: 700-800MW
9. Day and night load shedding is carried out due to shortage of power at 700-800MW in the areas where losses are more. Due to which it is affecting agriculture activities at large. Secondly, very little water at 17 TMC is available at Koyana Dam for generation of electricity.
Due to shortage of coal and rising demand for power the water has been utilized to meet the power demand.
