Sunday, April 25, 2010

Maharashtra teeters on the brink of power supply collapse - dnaindia.com

Water shortage is causing major power plants to shut down. Should we import water too for our upcoming megathermal power plants ??
Arun
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Maharashtra teeters on the brink of power supply collapse - dnaindia.com
Maharashtra teeters on the brink of power supply collapse

DNA, Friday, April 16, 2010 0:50 IST
Maharashtra’s power generation slid further on Thursday because of low availability of water for the thermal, gas, and hydel power plants in the state, creating a bigger gap between demand and supply.
Power generation by Mahagenco, the state-owned power generation company formed by breaking up the earlier Maharashtra State Electricity Board, continued to fall from its installed capacity of 9,996mw as all thermal power plants suffered from the shortage of water. The situation is grave, a source in the know said.

The state is drawing power from the central grid to bridge the gap, but the problem is set to grow over the next fortnight to an unprecedented level, the source warned.

Together from Mahagenco, private projects, and the national grid, the state was drawing 10,501mw of power while demand had shot up to 14,681 — a gap of 4,180mw.

The biggest deficit is from the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) where three of the six units have been shut over the past fortnight.

With a total installed capacity of 2,340mw, the plant on Thursday generated just 1,068mw of power, staggered by receding water levels in the Irai dam from where it receives water.

The dam is left with about 7% of water supply, according to the irrigation department. With water scarcity looming in Chandrapur town and neighbouring areas, the district administration has sought to reserve the remaining water for human consumption.

Top officials at the CSTPS said the energy department and Mahagenco officials would review the situation early next week and draw up a plan to mitigate the power shortage, particularly if all units of the Chandrapur plant have to be shut down

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