Mah to have surplus power in 5 years: MSEDCL

Pune, May 31 (UNI) Maharashtra will have surplus power with 18,000 MW in the next five years at reduced rates, Maharashtra State Electricty Development Corporation Ltd (MSEDCL) Managing Director Sanjay Bhatia here today said.

At a 'Meet the Press' programme organised by Pune Shramik Patrakar Sangh, Mr Bhatia said currently the State is facing power deficit of 33 per cent - 4,500 MW.

''We have had a two pronged approach under plan-I to have capacity addition and under plan-II to manage the demand side through programmes like Akshay Prakash Yojana, with people's participation in rural areas where the villagers manage the power needs. However, with a series of new projects we will once again have surplus power within five years with the cost around Rs 2.25 paise per unit,'' he said.

''We are investing Rs 7,500 crore in infrastructure and upgrading facilities, replacing old machinery like transformers to ensure no breakdowns. The cost of generating power presently is Rs 4,000 crore per 1,000 MW. Around 90 per cent of the power projects in the State are coal-based and provision has been made for the supply of coal for the next 15-20 years,'' he added.

On the source of supply, the MD said with the initiative of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and State Energy Minister Dilip Walse-Patil, a coal mine in Orissa at Machakatta has been taken by Gujarat and Maharashtra through the state-owned company Mahagenco, to meet coal requirements.

On the progress of Dabhol, he said it would reach its projected capacity shortly. ''It may take a few days extra but it will happen,'' he said. By next year, it will generate 3,000 MW, besides Tarapur project is starting next month, he emphasised.

On generating 18,000 MW and being in surplus, Mr Bhatia said the State's requirement will be doubled in five years and will need around 10,000 MW. ''With all our projects working, we will manage to generate 18,000 MW and even if there are problems with a few projects, we will still be in a comfortable position,'' he assured.

When asked about the power rates, he said presently the State is purchasing power from Orissa, NTPC and others and in the process of auction, the rates are usually high, over Rs five per unit.

On whether the monsoon would reduce load-shedding, assuring no respite, he said load-shedding would continue as monsoon is the time that age old machinery is overhauled.

Mr Bhatia said MSEDCL has managed to reduce distribution losses by three per cent and another three per cent loss will be reduced by next year.

To queries on consumer disputes regarding over charges and high rates, he said the department had a cell and an ombudsman to look into such matters.

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