Tatas' power plant in Bawana gets stuck

The Delhi government and private distribution company North Delhi Power Ltd(NDPL) seem to differ on how to address the grim power situations in the Capital.

While the discom is of the view that setting up a power plant at the heart of the city would provide relief to Delhites, the government does not seem to subscribe to the view.

NDPL, which had submitted a proposal to the government to set up a 1,000 MW capacity power plant at Bawana about two years ago, had not been allocated land till now.

According to the company's Chief Executive Officer Anil Sardana, frequency variation in the northern grid was the main reason for all power cuts happening in Delhi.

"The problem could be solved only when the generation capacity is in the heart of the city," he said.

Delhi government Special Secretary (Power) Arun Goyal, however, said, "An isolated power generation facility for the capital would not be of much help," adding, "Delhi would have to continue with its dependence on the northern grid even after addition in the generation capacity."

Goyal also said that hydel power was the suitable option in view of the wide variation between the peak and the off-peak demand in the Capital.

Delhi, at present, has an average daily demand of 3,500 MW, which is estimated to touch 7,000 MW by 2010. The Capital produces only 17-18 per cent of its energy requirement and the rest is drawn from NTPC's Badarpur plant and the Northern Grid.

One of the issues of concern in Delhi is the wide variance between the peak and the off-peak demands, leading to load-shedding. The off-peak demand is about 50 per cent of the peak demand during winter and 60-70 per cent in the summer.

Goyal also said the situation would improve after the proposed Pragati II with a capacity of 330 MW takes off. The Indraprastha power station would also be made a gas-based plant having a capacity of 700-1,000 MW.

The Delhi government was also looking at setting up a 1,000 MW power generation facility at Bawana through the private sector.

"The state government would work out certain modalities so that the project would go to the most suitable private bidder," Goyal added.