Delayed rains may lead to power crisis in Gujarat

With rainfall in Gujarat not looking very promising this year, the state could face a huge power crisis.

Talking to Business Standard, P H Rana, director (technical), Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), said, "If the rains continue to elude the state even after farmers complete sowing, there will be surge in power demand from the agricultural sector."

Although the demand and supply of power is reported to be stable so far, lack of rain would completely change the situation, he said.

Currently, the total demand for power is 7,300 mw per day of which 2,500 mw is consumed by industries and 3,000 mw by the agriculture sector.

"If the monsoon is delayed or halts power demand might go up to 7,700 mw per day," said Rana. Crops such as cotton, groundnuts and castor require more water which means heavy use of waterpumps in the wake of inadequate rainfall.

The maximum demand for agricultural power is from north Gujarat and from a few areas of Saurastra. Around 65 to 70 per cent of agricultural activities are undertaken in these areas where cotton and groundnut plantations abound.

The northern belt of Gujarat is likely to be the worst affected. The present demand is 2,500 mw per day which could go up to 3,500 mw per day. Since the southern areas are more industry-based than agricultur"�based, it is not expected to go through any major disruptions.

If there is a power crunch, the state might buy it from the easter grid. For this it will have to spend an additional Rs 3 crore per day.

However, if power is not available from the eastern grid, GUVNL will have to rely on power cuts to industries.

"In such a situation we will have a day's load shedding on industries that will save 150 mw. This can be diverted for agriculture use," added Rana.