Power shortage to hit industrial units in UP, Bihar

New Delhi, Apr 29: Power availability to industrial units in North and West might further worsen as its deficit may go beyond 25 and 20 per cent during May-June respectively from 15 and 10 per cent in early April, with UP and Bihar becoming the worst affected states.

As a result of this, industrial production in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and even Goa would have to be curtailed to the extent of 10-12 per cent, particularly in manufacturing units as these have no alternative means to produce power, an industry chamber said here today.

''Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where power cuts exceed 12 hours a day, face the worst energy shortage of around 20 per cent which is likely to further deepen to the extent of 30-35 per cent in the absence of corrective measures,'' according to Assocham findings.

In a countrywide survey undertaken by Assocham on the latest power situation in leading states that have concentration of industrial presence at substantial level observed that in states such as Haryana, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, energy deficits ranges from 10-15 per cent.

Since a few new capacities are emerging in power sector and Transmition and Distribution (T&D) losses remain untamed to the extent of 60 per cent in most of leading states except Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, the power situation is unlikely to be better in next few months, Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot said.

Mr Dhoot also added that lack of fresh investment and modernisation coupled with huge transmission losses are responsible for the grave power situation in the country.

Maharashtra, which is facing one of the worst crises with energy deficit touching about 20 per cent, is likely to experience peak hour power shortage of over 25-28 per cent in next two months.

Madhya Pradesh, which has a power requirement of over 3,500 MU, has availability of little over 2,400 million units (MU) with deficit ranging over 26 per cent.

The situation is no better in Gujarat where the power deficit is about 13 per cent. The availability in the state is only 4,780 MU against the requirement of 5,500 MU.

In Delhi, its power availability and demand requirement has a gap of over 500 MU.

According to the chamber, power theft, leakages and transmission and commercial losses are the main reason for power deficit in these states.

Use of non-conventional sources of energy especially for domestic usage and street lightning, is another short-term solution, the chamber said.

Demand side management and also transfer of surplus power from the captive units to the state grids are few other suggestions cited to fight power shortages in short run.

UNI