While power demand has gone up, still Odisha continues to be a surplus State so far as energy availability is concerned, officials in the Department of Energy said.
A senior official said that as reported by State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), the State energy demand for 2017-18 was 25,391 Million Unit (MU), in 2018-19, it was 26,268 MU and in 2019-20 up to October it was 19,053 MU respectively.
This demand was met from the power available through various generating sources in the State as well as State’s entitlement from Central generation stations. Thus the State maintains its status as power surplus State, pointed out the official.
Due to massive rural electrification programme (RGGVY I & II, DDUGJY, BGJY & BSVY) and household electrification scheme (SAUBHAGYA) in the State, the total number of consumers of Odisha has reached 96 lakh and so also there is rise in the power demand.
During the financial year 2019-20 basing on the power requirement of four power distribution companies( DISCOM)s, the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) approved 28,731 MU of power to be purchased by Gridco from different generators. The power demand and availability shows that the State is surplus in power, i.e., the power available has been more than the power demand of the State.
The SLDC authority states that the present average power demand is 3,000-3,200 MW, while the peak demand is 3,800-4,000 MW.
The Department of Energy sources stated that in the months of April, May, June, July and August, 2019, due to late monsoon, low reservoir level and short supply of coal because of strike and local disturbance, less power was available to the State.
The Gridco was asked to meet the power demand by availing power from other sources.
It is reiterated that after commissioning of units 3 and 4 of OPGC (1,320 MW) during August, the State is in a more comfortable position to meet its power demand during any eventuality.
One unit of NTPC, Darlipali (800 MW) is expected to be commissioned during this Financial Year and the State share is 400 MW; so with the rise in demand and with more power available, the State will continue to be power surplus, said the official.
