Lucknow

UPPCl might have to face problems :CERC

PNS

Skipping information on security of the national grid might prove costly to UP Power  Corporation limited (UPPCl) as the  Central Electricity regulatory Commission (CERC)  has warned of legal action, including financial penalty, for avoiding  precautionary   measures and information on certain points.

The senior officials in all power discoms are currently busy collecting information over  upcoming power generation  projects and the requirement of additional electricity in  summer season which is to be sent by end of this month. 

According to sources in Energy Department, despite efforts aimed providing required  information, the central body can  impose fine against power corporation for neglecting its instructions over long period. 

In September last year, following grid failure leading to prolonged outages in many states,    the CERC had instructed all  transmission corporations and energy departments of  northern states to send an assessment of their electricity  requirements and proposed  power generation units till October 10, 2012. As per directions the required inputs were   likely  to be sent to northern load dispatch centre (NlDC). 

However despite several reminders the UPPCl was yet to respond to instructions which  has been seriously taken in cognisance by CERC.

Now again the CERC has instructed UPPCl to send required information by March end  along with asking why not action  against the power corporation should be taken under  section-142 of Electricity Act, 2003 amounting to financial penalty for  deliberately  neglecting the national grid security.

Following notice by the CERC, officials in UPPCl and Energy department has gone   busy in collecting information  regarding expansion of transmission network in UP,  requirement for additional power in the summer and upcoming power  generation projects  likely to be commissioned within one year time, the sources in power corporation said.