Pune to get non-stop power supply through pvt-public partnership

Pune, May 19 (UNI) Pune city will become the first in the country to implement a private-public partnership to ensure uninterrupted power supply following directives from Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) based on the proposals of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

MERC on Tuesday had ordered implementation of the recommendations of CII to mitigate load shedding through Captive Power Plants (CPP).

The CII had in December 2005, proposed to utilise surplus captive during peak hours and make available the grid power to other consumers.

Pune city's requirements is 751 MW and the shortfall is between 180-200 MW during peak hours. MERC has also fixed extra charge of 42 paise per unit for subscribers consuming over 300 units per month.

CII representative Pradeep Bhargava the person behind the proposal, told reporters, ''This project is not just lighting up Pune but about a unique public-private partnership.'' Representatives of the CII and MSEDCL will be meeting today to finalise the details.

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