The delayed arrival of monsoon by a week has come as big relief for the UP Power Corporation limited (UPPCl) as there has been a sharp drop of 20 per cent in demand for power during peak hours.
Against the peak power demand hovering around 20,000 megawatt (mw) 4-5 days back, the power demand has dipped to 16,000-17,000 mw after pre-monsoon showers lashed large parts of the state over the past two days.
Consequently, public and private sector power generating units have also paired their generation to that level.
Power availability in UP stands at 18,000 Mw from all sources, including state power generating units and 7,000 Mw imported from the central sector. Since, the aggregate demand has fallen; thermal power generation has also been cut for larger safety of grid and maintaining balance between demand-supply matrices.
While, the UPPCl and different distribution companies (discoms) have managed to balance power demand-supply, yet, during dry spells in monsoon, power demand normally shoots up due to humid weather with domestic sector demand going up.
Coal also becomes wet during monsoons, which decreases their calorific value and puts pressure on generation. Besides, coal supply crunch also poses challenge before thermal power plants to maintain dry stock of coal. Power generation companies have been asked to keep sufficient coal stock for monsoon months.
Meanwhile, Centre for S0cience and Environment (CSE) has suggested to the Yogi government to develop a network of mini grid electricity systems to supply adequate power to rural areas of UP.
In its report titled ‘Mini-grids in UP– Policy lessons’, the CSE claimed that a fifth of rural UP was living sans power despite massive growth in electricity infrastructure in recent years.
Currently, 14.2 million households in rural UP lack access to power connections and despite government claims, supply remained limited to 10-16 hours, the report said.
The state government is targeting to electrify all households in the state by 2018.
According to CSE, since, power crunch was likely to persist, mini-grids could resolve the situation in UP over the next 5-10 years.
These mini-grids could be supplied power through small renewable energy units, including solar or biomass. The private sector should be provided subsidies for generation and distribution asset development.
At present, unregulated mini-grid sector development has led to consumers paying exorbitant tariffs of above Rs 20 per unit for 6-8 hours of supply .
The CSE held a round-table conference to discuss the role of mini-grid generators in addressing the state’s energy challenge. The meet was attended by representatives of UP Non -conventional Energy Development Agency(NEDA), UP State Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), Distribution Companies (DISCOMS), experts, mini-grid developers and investors.