No Power Cut Till May 20

BHUBANESWAR: Giving a respite to the people, the State Government on Wednesday assured that there will be no power cut till May 20.

Minister of State for Energy Pranab Prakash Das made this announcement after reviewing the power situation of the State at a high level meeting here.

A decision on power regulation beyond the stipulated date will be taken after assessing the power demand and supply situation on May 15, Das said.

The State Government has been reviewing the power situation from time to time in view of the poor hydro power generation. Water level in major reservoirs of the State is much below the normal level due to deficient rainfall last year.

With no sign of respite from the blistering summer, the average power demand of the State has increased by 300 MW to 3,400 MW. The current peak load is 4,100 MW.

“We are now getting 400 MW through power banking from Punjab and Delhi to meet the shortfall during summer,” the Minister said.

As the Water Resources department has been releasing water from different reservoirs for irrigation and drinking water purposes, the  State is utilising the water for hydro power generation. The average availability from hydro power stations is 420 MW, sources in Gridco said.

The State Government’s assurance notwithstanding, rural areas are experiencing unscheduled power cuts. However, distribution companies described the disruption in power supply as localised problem.

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