UP power woes continue as summers scorch

Lucknow, Apr 9 (UNI) With the onset of summers, power woes in Uttar Pradesh are mounting with the state, facing acute power shortage compelling authorities resort to rostering in a big way.

The largest Indian state with 17 crore population, which saw one of the worst summers last year, is facing an even worse situation this time around with severe power cuts even in big cities.

Industries have been deprived of power supply in the night thereby indicating difficult times to come during peak summers this year.

People have started protesting against erratic power supply at various places with several areas of UP capital and industrial town of Noida under severe stress.

Pouer cuts in the ongoing period of competitive exams, have further added to the discomfort of people, especially he student community.

Residents of Greater Noida and Bareilly had to resort to 'dharnas' as power eludes them frequently with even as the mercury touches 40 degree celsius at many places in UP. Big cities including of Moradabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, Bareilly and Gorakhpur are facing Eight to 12 hours of power cuts resulting in a water crisis as well.

The power situation in rural areas is even worse with supply only for four to six hours a day.

Northern Region Load Despatch Centre has taken seriously the indiscreet import of power from the central sector by UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL).

This situation has arisen after Northern Grid became unstable due to sudden drop in frequency on Friday.

As of today, against power demand to the tune of about 6,600 Mw, UP has generation of just 1,600 Mw. Even after sufficient import from the central sector, the huge demand-supply gap has forced the authorities to impose power cuts.

UP, with mainly thermal power stations at its disposal, has installed capacity of 4,607 Mw, including 4,092 Mw thermal and 515 Mw hydro power.

Obra thermal power station has 13 units with total capacity of 1550 Mw and Paricha has 220 Mw. Anpara 'A' station has capacity of 630 Mw, while Anpara 'B' has 1,000 Mw of installed capacity.

Simlarly, Harduaganj 'B' has installed capacity of 210 Mw, while Harduaganj 'C' has 230 Mw and Panki has combined capacity of 252 Mw.

In Hydel, Obra hydro has installed capacity of 99 Mw, Khari 72 Mw, Matatila 44 Mw and Rihand 300 Mw.

With UP plant load factor being less than 50 per cent during most times and various units under breakdown at Anpara, Obra, Panki and Harduaganj thermal power plants, the power generation is not likley to cross 2,000 Mw mark in next few days, sources told UNI.

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