In USA, when there is powercut, it becomes a news!! In Maharashtra, power is always in a news. Not for a good reason though. Load shedding is what they call for having electricity customers reduce their consumption at critical times or in response to market prices. The word 'Reduce' is vital. The idea behind the load shedding is to reduce on the services like lights, machines, air conditioning according to a preplanned load prioritization scheme during the critical timeframes. But is it the reality in Maharashtra? Definately no!! Load shedding in Maharashtra means No electricity during the specific hours of the day.
While searching for more details I came across an article on the website of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MAHADISCOM). Click here to Read the article. But salient points out of that are as below.
1. Why Load Shedding ?
Electricity demand in Maharashtra (MSEDCL’s area) has been rising at a very high rate in the last two years. In 2004-05, the peak demand went up from 11357 MW to 12749 MW over 2003-04 which is a jump of 12.26% as compared to earlier average increase of 2.74%. While the demand has been increasing, the generation capacity has remained steady with maximum availability of 9300 MW. This had resulted in a peak gap of 3449 MW in 2004-05. In 2005-06, the peak demand recorded in May 05 was 12987 MW which is again a jump of 238 MW over the previous year. This had resulted in a shortage (load shedding) of 3687 MW in May 05.
2. Sudden Jump of Demand in October 05
In the month of October 05, the peak evening demand which had come down to 10,000 MW in September has in the last ten days gone up to 12,200 MW. This is a jump of 2,200 MW in a period of 7 to 8 days. Over and above this is the requirement of Mumbai in which Tata Power had been drawing MSEDCL’s power in peak hours increasing the load shedding in MSEDCL’s areas.
3. Why availability has not increased in proportion to the drawl?
Closure of the Dabhol Plant of 2150 MW in 2001 and subsequent non-start of Bhadravati (1082 MW) and Patalganga (447 MW) IPP Projects is the main reason behind non-increase of availability of power. Because of the closure of Dabhol plus non-start of IPP Projects and seeing the increase in demand in 2003, MSEB decided to go in for Parli (250 MW), Paras (250 MW) Projects and Ghatghar (250 MW Peaking/Irrigation) Projects. Any thermal project takes from 3 to 4 years before commissioning. These projects are thus expected to become available in 2006-07 and will thus provide major relief against load shedding.
4. Why can’t load shedding be done during the day time instead of the evening ?
The peak deficit between demand and supply is the highest in the evening hours (6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.). As electricity can’t be stored, the maximum load shedding has to take place in the evening hours.
5. What are the steps which can be taken by the citizens to reduce load shedding ?
The citizens can go in for Akshya Prakash Yojana in rural areas and Voluntary Urban Load Reduction Scheme in Urban areas as mentioned above. Citizens can also contribute by using less electricity during the morning peak (6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m.) and evening peak (6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.) Steps like avoiding the use of ACs, ironing and other three phase usages during these time periods can bring a relief in load shedding.
So now having read this .. Read following !!
Maharashtra State Electricity Development Corporation (MSEDC) obviously doesn't practice what it preaches. When entire Bhandup reels from the daily three-hour power cuts, MSEDC zonal headquarters here has uninterrupted supply -- air-conditioners buzz, fans whirr and all lights are on.
The number of hours of load-shedding were recently increased by an hour to four hours in Bhandup along with Mulund, Thane and Navi Mumbai and consumers are now asking why MSEDC, which lectures all on the need to conserve energy, is sparing its own offices from power cuts.
In Executive Engineer Santosh Wahane's office, located on the first floor of the building, there were four ceiling lights on as was a lamp on the wall just to illuminate a calendar. This despite the fact that there was adequate natural light coming into the room through a large window. The air-conditioner in the room was on full blast. The excuse given by MSEDC was that the headquarters houses the sub-station which needs constant supply of electricity. The officials, however, had no answer when asked why the rest of the office should receive uninterrupted power supply when the entire neighbourhood is put through a four-hour power cut.
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So what is happening around us? Are we happy with it? or we just don't have any choice? Who's mistake was Dabhol & conspiracy involved in it? Are they suffering with this load shedding? If not .. Why us?
We understand that the industry needs power & society needs Industry... but why society is only imposed with load shedding? Definately Industrialist will not want to suffer the losses they will face because of load shedding. This must be bringing a lot of pressure on the government. Government depends more on the Industrialists than society :)
well.. enjoy the load shedding.. I know you do.. otherwise Load Shedding wouldn't have been there !!!
- Mumbaikar
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