Dehradun, Sep 25 Uttarakhand is facing a power deficit of around 350 MW during peak hours, necessitating limited and controlled power cuts across various regions of the state, officials said on Friday.
Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) Managing Director PC Dhyani said efforts are being made to minimise power cuts, despite the drop in hydroelectric generation and rising demand during peak hours.
Power outages have been reported from several areas, including the state capital Dehradun.
Dhyani attributed the power shortage to relatively lower generation from the state’s hydropower projects, reduced power supply from central hydropower projects and a surge in demand during peak hours.
He said hydropower generation from UJVN Limited in September has declined by around 170 MW compared to the same period of last year.
The average generation from UJVN Limited during peak hours in September last year was around 1,094 MW, which has fallen to approximately 912 MW this year, he said.
Power supply from central hydropower stations has also declined by around 90 MW compared to the corresponding period last year, Dhyani said.
The unavailability of two units at the Tehri Pumped Storage Plant due to technical reasons is affecting power availability by around 100 MW during peak hours, he added.
“The combined effect of all these circumstances has resulted in a current power deficit of approximately 350 MW in the state during peak hours; consequently, limited and controlled power cuts are being implemented as required,” Dhyani said.
He said the situation was not limited to a shortfall in the state’s own generation, as electricity availability at the national level was also constrained during peak hours.
While power is relatively affordable and sufficiently available on the energy exchange during daylight hours when solar power is generated, prices rise significantly during the evening and night peak hours due to reduced availability, Dhyani said.
UPCL is making continuous efforts to procure power through the energy exchange to minimise outages in the state, he said.
Dhyani said power cuts were being scheduled in a manner aimed at minimising their impact on consumers.
“The objective of these power cuts is not to disrupt the power supply, but rather to ensure electricity reaches the maximum number of consumers in the state by making optimal and balanced use of the limited available power resources,” he said.
(PTI News)
