As there is no headway in the talks between the Gridco and the private captive generating plants (CGPs) over the power purchase issue, the State is likely to witness massive power cuts again from November 7.
The Gridco authorities have maintained that the captive power projects would facilitate the required power supply till November 7.
“We are generating more 700 MW power from captive power plants. Since the peak hour demand has decreased due to cold weather now, no power cut will take place. But after November 7, there may be power cuts,” said Gricdo Director (Commercial) PK Pradhan. Though the Gridco has petitioned the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to allow it to purchase power at Rs 2.75 per unit but the captive power plants have insisted on Rs3.75 per unit. A decision on the issue is yet to be finalised.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of Captive Power Plants, Odisha (CCPPO) said they may not provide power if the Government fails to pay Rs3.75 per unit.
CCPPO secretary Sidhharth Kumar Panda said, “We are ready to provide 400 MW to 450 MW power to the Government at Rs3.75 per unit. We can’t compromise on our selling price at any cost.”
Earlier, the Government had declared no power cuts from October 12 to November 11. Though there is no power cut in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and other major cities both in day and night, the rural Odisha is still witnessing power cuts for hours.