Nagpur: In an unusual phenomenon, the power generation company Mahagenco has completely shut down power plants in Koradi and Khaparkheda following significant reduction in power demand from State-run MSEDCL. The total generation has gone below 3,000 MW, which has also happened for the first time. Reports say that Mauda plant of NTPC too has been shut down for the very reason.
According to Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (MERC’s) “merit order dispatch”, MSEDCL has to buy cheap power first before going in for costlier power. As the rate of generation of Mahagenco is higher than some private plants, the company has taken a beating. Power generation at Koradi was costing 2.36 paise which is 6 paise more than the MERC rules and regulations. Hence power generation at Koradi was stopped.
According to Mahagenco, all the units of Koradi and Khaparkheda plants went “docile.” Even though MSEDCL increased power supply to agricultural consumers from eight hours a day to 12, it has not helped. Heavy rains in many parts of the state resulted in reduced demand for power. Farmers are not required to use their pumps. Moreover, the demand had increased during Ganeshotsav but now with the festival over the extra demand is no longer there. Presently, the total maximum demand is in the range of 13,500 MW, which is quite low, the power generation company said.
Similarly, at NTPC’s Mauda plant, power generation was proving to be a costly affair due to low demand and difficulty in selling the electricity. Three units of 300 MW have been shut down, sources said.
Mahagenco had started all the five units of the 1,340 MW Khaparkheda power plant but had to close all of them down within a few days. MSEDCL said that demand had also gone down due to increase in solar and wind generation. The Mahavitaran has become hugely power surplus from facing an acute demand supply gap a few years ago.
– Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha ( rajeev.nagpurtoday@g
