After a long energy crisis, the power scenario in Uttarakhand has improved considerably with industries facing one or two hours of daily power cuts.
The arrival of monsoon in the hill state has brought a shift in the demand-supply gap which has narrowed down mainly due to the rising discharge in major rivers like Yamuna and Ganga.
According to latest data provided by the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), the government-run sole distribution company in the hill state, the power demand has now fallen to 25 million units per day from the peak of 29 million in April-June.
The power generation in the state has gone up to 17 million units after the low of 6-7 million units per day during the past three months. “With the arrival of monsoon, the power situation has improved during the past two days,” said A K Johari, Director (operation/project) UPCL.
The SME sector, which was the worst hit in the past, is now facing only one-two hour power cuts. The 60 odd steel industries had been facing a production loss of Rs 30 crore everyday due to the 16-hour power cut. The owners of the steel industry had recently met top government officials and submitted a memorandum demanding more power to their units.
Significantly, the power scenario improved at a time when the state is returning power to Punjab and Reliance Power as part of the banking arrangements.
Uttarakhand which mainly banks on the centre’s support is also participating in the case-I bidding for long term power supply through which it is likely to get 300 Mw of power.