Orissa is faced with a grim power situation due to the scanty rainfall this year. The state government Thursday said it was drawing up a plan to meet the power shortfall in the coming days.
"We are trying to manage the power situation with minimum discomfort to our consumers, particularly farmers and domestic consumers. We are drawing up a strategy to increase the power production in both thermal and hydro power plants. Steps are being taken to strengthen the power distribution too," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik after a meeting in the state secretariat.
The state requires 2,007-2,009 MW power in the peak season and 2,200 MW in the off peak season. But due to the scanty rainfall this year, the state government apprehends a severe drop in power generation.
"We had got 6,000 million units of power last year. But this year we hope to get about 4,000 million units of hydro power as the water level is low at power generation units. There would be a shortfall of 2,000 million units. We are working out a plan to meet the shortfall," said Energy Secretary Pradip Jena.
The state government is also mulling to save water in the barrages for use during peak season. However, a final strategy is yet to be drawn up. Besides, the state government is examining how to augment power shortfall from other sources, including from private power producers.
"We have signed 21 MOUs. We are trying to expedite the projects so that they can start production soon," said Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, minister of state for energy.
"Sterlite and Bhusan Industries would start power generation by January-February and give it us. Other companies like Lanco, GMR and Ind Bharat would start power generation by 2011. We are trying to expedite the projects by solving their problems," Nayak added.