Enormous development has been carried towards power infrastructure in Chhattisgarh which is rich in forests and mineral resources. This has led to earning accolades at the national level. In a communique issued by Chhattisgarh State Power companies chairman Shailendra Shukla, it was stated that as the state is completing its 19th year of existence, it is gradually taking shape of a power hub.
The 474.67 per cent increase in power consumption shows that the consumers are taking benefit of the cheap and uninterrupted power supply. On the occasion of State Foundation Day, Shukla while detailing about the achievements of state power companies stated that this is the only state in country which contributes 12 to 13 per cent in the national power pool.
When the state came into existence, the power generation capacity was merely 1360 MW which gradually increased over the years to 3424.7 MW amounting to an increase of 2064.7MW. Shukla added that due to surplus availability of power, the state has created miracles in both agricultural and industrial fields and a sort of revolution has taken place in both the sectors. During inception of state the numbers of energised pumps were 73,000 which now have increased to 4.5 lakh and farmers are being benefited through these energised pumps round the year. As of now all 19567 villages in the state are electrified along with 38,000 hamlets.
Shukla further informed that the state is counted among developed states at the national level on issues like plant load factor and transmission capacity. Presently its transmission capacity is 8169 MVA against 1257 MVA during the inception of state which is a 549.80 per cent increase. In 2000 the numbers of EHT sub-stations were 27 which now has rose to 120.
Shukla said in the current financial year, a record of supplying highest 4760 MW power was recorded, which is 256.82 per cent increase against peak power demand of 1334 MW in 2000. Apart from establishing the first gas based sub-station in the capital Central India’s biggest Supervisory control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system has been established in the capital which assists in fast automatic restoration of power interruptions.