No hope for improvement in power distribution sector this year
State loses 52.15% of total power produced annually
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 28 2012:
The problem of acute shortage of power supply being faced by the people of the state is not likely to be reduced this year despite every possible efforts being made by the state government to overcome the situation.
However, the problem may be reduced to a certain extent by next year.
Report obtained from the Power Department revealed that since the power produced in the state is generated from water, the production of power in the state depends on the availability of water source.
During the 'Lean Hydro Period' where there is shortage of water, the power produced is below the average production capacity and hence the State's share of power generated in different power stations is also reduced.
As a result, there is shortage of power supply in the state.
The report further revealed that the actual share of the State from all the Central Sector Hydro Power Stations is never received fully due to poor transmission line.
Moreover, the power in the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) is also wasted in huge quantity.
Another source explained that loss of power in the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) is mainly due to its Commercial nature and Distribution System.
During the period from 2010 to 2011, the loss in power was calculated at 52.15%, which interestingly was the highest loss the state experienced so far.
The outdated machineries used in the Transmission and Distribution Networks is also another reason for the high rate of loss of power.
The State receives a share of 70% of power from all the Central Sector Hydro Power Stations in the North East including the home state.
During the Peak Hydro Season, the state receives 128 mega watts and 40 to 50 mega watt of power during the Winter Peak Season.
As a consequence, the state government could ensure only 4 to 5 hours of power supply to the consumers of the state daily.
The source pointed out that 128 mega watt of power, which is supposed to be received during the Peak Hydro Season and transmitted through the KV Line 132 (Interface) could never be received fully.
With the introduction of the RGGVY Scheme in the hill areas of the state as part of the flagship programme of the Central government, the demand for power too has increased, thus leading to a situation of power crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Palatana Plant, a power plant based on gas in Tripura and the Bongaigon Plant based on thermal are to be commissioned by mid 2012.With the commissioning of these two power plants, Manipur would receive around 85 mega watt of power as its share.
Thereafter the problem of shortage of power in the state would be solved to a certain extent, the source.