Even though the people of the State heaved a sigh of relief after being assured of no power cuts in the evening hours for a month, a possible power tariff hike, likely to be caused by power purchases from outside at higher rates, may dampen their festive mood.
A possible tariff burden on consumers is expected from the fact that the Government has decided to purchase power from IPPs and CGPs to meet hydropower shortage of nearly 700 to 800 MW. While hydropower usually meets 1,200 MW during peak hours, not only 400 to 500 MW of power is being generated from the source. For this, load sheddings are happening in the State.
Ahead of Dussehra and Kali Puja, the Government has decided to stop power cuts during night hours for over a month from October 11 to November 15. To meet the shortage, it would purchase power from IPPs and CGPs. Buying power from these sources would cost the Government `3.20 per unit and put a financial burden of nearly `400 crore. The extra cost would be borne by consumers.
“The consumers have to pay the extra cost,” said Gridco Director (Commercial) PK Pradhan. Sources which meet power need during the peak hour are IPPs and CGPs together (9800-900 MW), OPGC Ib Thermal (350 MW), TTPS (300 MW), Central share (580 MW) and IPPs and small hydro power units (700 MW).