Shutdown of Rajghat power plant''s put off till March

New Delhi, Feb 21 (PTI) Delhi Government has deferredthe planned shutdown of the coal-based Rajghat power plant byanother six months considering the increased demand forelectricity in the summer season.

Earlier, the government had decided to close the 100mw capacity plant by March in tune with its climate changeagenda.

"We have decided not to close down the plant tillOctober considering the summer season. The decision has beentaken to ensure that people do not face any shortage of powersupply," said Delhi Power Minister Harun Yusuf.

He said the city now has around 4,650 mw of poweragainst the daily consumption of around 3,100 mw which isexpected to swell by around 2,000 mw in peak summer months.

"The peak demand may go up to 5,000 mw. So we aretaking a number of steps to bridge the gap between demand andavailability," he added.

The peak demand had crossed 4,700 mw during lastsummer. The city had experienced widescale power cuts duringthe peak summer months of June and July last year following amis-match between demand and supply.

Yusuf said the under-construction Bawana gas-basedpower plant is expected to start generation before June andwill supply 250 mw of power.

"We are trying to ensure that there is no powershortage during this summer," Yusuf said.