Grid Discipline of CEA hits UP hard

Lucknow, May 2 (UNI) The enhanced demand coupled with strict directive of the Central Electricty Authority (CEA) to excercise 'grid discipline' has hit Uttar Pradesh the hardest with most of the districts groping in the dark.

The CEA has asked all the nine states, which draw power from the Northern Grid, not to overdraw electricity from the grid.

This directive has adversely affected the UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), which depends mainly on the the grid to meet the requirements of UP, the largest state with population of more than 16 crore.

The Northern Grid is under severe stress with its frequency hovering at an alarming level of around 48 Hz. This is mainly due inadequate generation of electricity and the withdrawl by the needy states, including UP, exceeding the limits.

Meanwhile, UP is facing acute power crisis and the power scenario is not likley to improve in the near future as several National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) units are out of steam.

The gap between the demand and supply of electricity is more than 2000 MW with most of the districts having been subjected to power cuts of upto 14 hours.

There is no improvement in the sight as two 500 MW units, one each at Singrauli and Rihand, are out of order since last month -- the former due to overhauling while the latter due to problem in its excitation, sources from NTPC told UNI here.

Another 110 MW unit at Tanda thermal station is also not working adding to the power woes.

The availability to UP is more hampered as it gets the largest share-- 35 to 40 per cent-- from these NTPC units.

The performance of the thermal units of the state is even worse as they hardly produce 1900 MW against the installed capacity of more than 4000 MW.

The situation has affected the normal life to a great deal with many places witnessing public showdown against the erratic power supply in urban and rural areas alike.

According to UPPCL sources, the state was forced to buy 'costlier' power from the central sector under the present circumstances. The state is authorised to withdraw 2300 MW of power from the Central Sector and it has to pay extra if it withdraws more than that.

The UPPCL had to withdraw about 2900 MW of power from the Central Sector yesterday against its normal quota, the sources said.

Uttar Pradesh, with mainly thermal power stations at its disposal, has an installed power generation capacity of 4607 MW, which includes 4092 MW of thermal and 515 MW hydro power.

Obra thermal power station has 13 units with the total capacity of 1550 MW and Paricha has 220 MW. Anpara 'A' station has capacity of 630 MW, while Anpara 'B' has 1000 MW of installed capacity.

Simlarly Harduaganj 'B' has an installed capacity of 210 MW while Harduaganj'C' has 230 MW and Panki has a combined capacity of 252 MW.

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

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