Power supply slips further

HYDERABAD: The gap between demand and supply of power was 33 million units (MU) on Sunday, which is not at all encouraging. The mismatch between demand and supply of power is increasing day-by-day due to Sakala Janula Samme.The total demand for power in the state is 260 MU per day. Before the commencement of general strike in Telangana, the power utility was able to meet the entire demand. "Due to decline in power generation in APGENCO and NTPC thermal stations, the power utility is able to supply 227 MU only, resulting in a deficit of 33 MU a day," according to an official press release on Monday. Hydel power generation had also come down from 68 MU to 37 MU due to reduced inflows into Srisailam reservoir. As a result, power supply to all sectors, particularly to farm and industrial sectors, is affected.APGENCO has thermal units with an installed capacity of 5,093 MW. It can generate 120 MU per day. But due to the poor coal stock position, it is generating about 75 MU per day.The NTPC thermal station at Ramagundam with an installed capacity of 2,600 MW, is generating 1,900 MW only. NTPC Simhadri is generating 1,000 MW against its capacity of 1,500 MW.Due to shortage of power, the officials have reduced its supply to the farm sector to six hours a day from seven hours. Industries have been given a load relief of one day in a week. Load restrictions have also been imposed during peak hours from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.Power cuts are being imposed in all towns and villages.Two-hour power cut is being imposed in Hyderabad, fourhour power cut in district headquarters, six-hour power cut in mandal headquarters and eight-hour power cut in villages.The state government is leaving no stone unturned to meet the demand for power. About 25 MU is being purchased a day from various sources from September 13. A sum of Rs 100 crore has been spent on purchase of power so far, the press release said.However, the daily coal production of Singareni Collieries Company Limited increased to 48,000 tonnes on Monday from 10,415 tonnes on September 13. On normal days, the SCCL produces 1.5 lakh tonnes of coal per day.