Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt Ltd (RGPPL), formerly Dabhol power project, in Maharashtra has seen power generation plunging to to 550 megawatts (Mw) against the total capacity of 1,967 Mw in the wake of increasing gas shortage.
RGPPL, which operates the project at the coastal Ratnagiri district, has said if the shortage in gas supply further deteriorates, it would turn red by the end of the current financial year. The company, which was formed in 2005 and revived the project in April 2006, had clocked a net profit of Rs 450 crore on a turnover of Rs 4,499 crore in 2011-12. The company had for the first time paid dividend of Rs 123 crore for the last financial year.
"Against the total gas requirement of 8.5 million standard cubic meter per day (mscmd) to produce 1,967 Mw, the company is currently receiving a mere 2.9 mscmd from the KG D6 field (of Reliance Industries) and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corp),” an RGPPL official told Business Standard, requesting anonymity.
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“This has severely impacted the power generation as it is currently ranging between 550 Mw and 570 Mw. Of the 8.5 mscmd, nearly 7.6 mscmd was to come from the KG D6 basin. However, it has dipped drastically to 3.3 mscmd since last couple of months. In addition, 0.9 mscmd comes from ONGC though it was to supply only 0.3 mscmd," said the official, adding that efforts were being carried out to increase power generation.
Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister, who also holds the energy portfolio said the rapid fall in power generation from RGPPL was a matter of concern. "During my representation to the petroleum minister, I requested adequate gas be made available for the project. I have also argued KG-D6 gas should be supplied to the project on a priority basis," he said.
He added the power ministry had issued a directive to release 2 mscmd of gas from Andhra Pradesh's quota from August onwards. However, following opposition from some Parliament members from Andhra Pradesh, the government has put on hold the decision.
A senior official at Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co (MahaVitaran) said the reduction in power supply from the RGPPL project had led to rise in mismatch between demand and supply.
"If the power generation from the Ratnagiri project is not restored quickly, the load shedding hours in the state will have to be increased. However, the monsoon is revived in some districts and it may ease demand for power," said the official, who also did not want to be identified.
