UP to add 1,500 Mw power

Uttar Pradesh, which has not added a single mega watt to its power generation capacity in the last 10 years, is going to add about 1,500 Mw by December this year.

This addition will come as a relief to the power-starved state, which is looking to attract industrial investment. Of the capacity being added, 420 Mw will come from the Paricha plant, 400 Mw from Vishnu Prayag, 385 Mw from Tehri and 300 Mw from Tala.

Besides, the mega power plant being set up by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group is also said to be progressing well. "We are sure that by 2010-11, UP's current power shortage problem will be taken care of," A K Khurana, principal secretary-power to the state government, told Business Standard.

The power supply in the state has remained static at the 1996 level even as the demand has increased 8-10 per cent every year. As much as 11,000 mw is required to ensure round-the-clock electricity all over the state.

Factoring in some planned load shedding, such as in rural areas, the requirement can be brought down to 8,500-9,000 mw.

In comparison, the supply, as of Tuesday, was 6,300 mw. In fact, Uttar Pradesh was one of the states accused by the Centre recently of repeatedly drawing more power than its fair share from the central grid.

Khurana however dismissed that as a temporary blip, saying that several states resorted to drawing more power than their share from time to time.

"It disturbs the grid discipline, but it is a small issue. It is a function of the need and the frequency at that time. In the long term, it is not an issue," said Khurana.