Power cuts rampant in several UP districts

Lucknow, Apr 27 (UNI) The power situation in Uttar Pradesh continues to be grim with most of its areas remaining without power, with a record 2500 MW power-cut hitting the state.

The normal life has been badly affected due to the power cuts across the state which left the major cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, Allahabad, Moradabad, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Agra and Noida groping in the dark.

An emergency back-up plan had to be put in place in view of the imminent danger to the northern grid, responsible for power supply to the state.

According to UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) sources the dismal scenario was not likley to improve soon as several NTPC units were out of steam and the generation by the state thermal power units was much below the required level.

In UP where the power demand is touching 6900 MW, the record power cut to the tune of 2500 MW was affecting about 17 crore residents of the state.

The northern grid, which caters power to nine states, with its frequency hovering around 48 Hz, was in an alarming level.

This was mainly due to the other plants failing to generate adequate power and states, including Uttar Pradesh (UP), exceeding the limits.

There have been several occasions in recent past when Northern grid was on the verge of collapse, but the situation was saved only by massive power cuts.

Two 500 MW units, one each at Singrauli and Rihand were out for about a month -- the former due to overhauling, while the latter due to problem in its excitation, the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) sources told UNI here which meant the situation was not likely to improve soon.

Another 110 MW unit at Tanda Thermal Station was also not working adding to the power woes.

The performance of UP thermal units remained worse. Only 1,750 MW was generated against the installed capacity of more than 4,000 MW and a peak hour demand which touched 7,000 MW.

UP which was normally authorised to withdraw 2,300 MW of power from the Central Sector, was under warning from the Regional Load Despatch Centre (RLDC) and was informed not to withdraw excess power.

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