Winter load, irrigation add to UP power woes

Lucknow, Jan 7 (UNI) The rising winter load and demand by farmers for irrigation ahead of the Rabi season are giving sleepless nights to the officials of the state power department, who are unable to meet the rising gap between demand and supply of power in the state this season.

After a harrowing summer without proper power supply, most areas of the state are now languishing without power in biting cold.

Officials of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd claimed here today that winter load in the urban areas and demand for irrigational facilities ahead of the Rabi season have spiralled the power demand to a new high this winter.

While the state produces around 2600 MW -- 2400 mw of thermal and 200 mw of hydro power--, it imports over 2600 MW from the central sector to meet the increasing demand. ''But during evening hours, the gap is around 1500 MW which is forcing the UPPCL to impose emergency power rostering in many urban and semi urban areas, besides villages,'' officials admitted this morning.

The state has an average demand of 7300 MW during peak hours.

The villages are the most effect by the lack of power supply.

With the UPPCL providing power upto only five hours a day in rural areas, farmers have been forced to use diesel generators for irrigation.

With UP Board and CBSE boards examinations due early March, students are increasingly finding it difficult to carry out self-study in the evenings and early hours due to lack of power supply. After endless hours of coaching and tuitions, several students said they get time only during nights for self-study at home. Without proper heating and light, they find it difficult to revise the course and prepare for the crucial pre-board examinations due next month.

UNI