Electricity is a rather sensitive subject that rarely fails to provoke the anger of a Delhi resident. Be it the abrupt hikes in power tariff or the intermittent supply, consumers in the city are far from satisfied.
Besides these obvious reasons for the public outcry that have become a poll plank common to all opposition parties for December elections, the incumbent Government is also blamed for its lack of far-sightedness.It is evident that the huge amount of money used for the construction of power plants has gone waste. This is because it was only after their completion that the Government woke up to the stark reality of non-availability of resources to operate them.
Huge demand and availability deficits continue to persist in the national Capital, resulting in prolonged power cuts during the hot summer months. In the past decade, Delhi’s electricity demand has been rising by an average of six percent every year. In all probability, power will continue to be a raw issue even during the next elections In 2018 as the projected demand for power is set to go up to around 9000 MW by that time. Meanwhile, the peak demand deficit for the State has increased from two per cent in 2005-2006 to five per cent in 2012-2013.
Delhi is dependent on other States (central sector power station) for nearly 70 per cent of its power. It is quite a surprise that despite new power plants being commissioned, the city’s in-house power generation continues to remain the same at an average 1200 MW per day as it was five years ago. Built at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore, the massive 1,500 MW gas based power plant at Bawana (Pragati Power Phase III ) is generating only 230 MW of powers. This is because enough gas is not available to run the plant to its full capacity. This raises serious questions about the logic behind planning and commissioning of such ambitious projects.
Similarly, the 750 MW Pragati Power Phase II plant at Bamnauli is also stalled owing to unavailability of gas for the plant. The Delhi Government’s tie up with Aravali Super Thermal Power Station to get 750 MW turned out to be another failed venture as the discoms refused to buy power from it, claiming it to be too expensive. Besides, the maintenance cost of Rajghat power house, set up in 1989, is also turning out to be costlier day by day.
Moreover, the annual hike in power tariffs has been a major cause of dissatisfaction among residents of Delhi. In 2011, power tariffs were increased by 22 per cent with a further hike of 24 per cent in 2012. The reasons that DERC cited for these unprecedented hikes were quite predictable. Rising power purchase cost and reduction of accumulated financial deficit to the tune of over Rs 7,000 crore were the reasons cited for such ridiculous actions.
Amidst this chaos, there has been a growing demand to bring Discoms as well as the power regulator under the scanner of the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) to facilitate greater transparency in the system. To reduce the number of inflated power bills, the DERC recently decided to appoint an ‘independent’ agency to carry out testing of electricity meters.
In 2012, the centre instructed the DERC to setup renewable power projects of 120 MW. Considering that the city receives around 350 days of sunlight that could be harnessed as solar energy, the target seemed very much achievable. But the State failed to do the needful and project itself a progressive and advanced by promoting renewable sources of energy. Besides meeting last year’s targets, such a step could have helped the city overcome the power deficit to some degree this year. Moreover, switching to renewable energy sources would have freed the consumers from the vicious cycle of rising coal prices and power tariffs.
Today, it is impossible to think of life without electricity. This is more evident in an urban setup where demand for electricity is constantly on the rise. It is no surprise that the demand is expected to shoot up to 9,000 MW in 2018. Unfortunately, resources are limited and costly. The problem is further aggravated by constant hikes in power tariffs. There are regular complaints of ‘inflated’ bills, owing to faulty meters and poor planning.
The situation is grave and serious. We need to take quick remedial measures to solve the crisis of power shortage as the life, economy and the very existence of the city depends on it. We need to seriously think of using alternative sources of energy like solar power and initiate their implementation. Greater awareness and tangible benefits/concessions need to be made available to those opting for solar power. Planning with far-sightedness is what is needed for Delhi. Maintaining Delhi’s unique power islanding system as well as proper auditing practices can go a long way in making Delhi a progress-oriented and forward-thinking State.