Discoms announce power cut as generation falls

Lower water levels at key reservoirs and shutting down of some thermal power units in the state have severely affected the total power availability forcing the distribution companies (discoms) to announce cut in power supply for a limited period in a day.

“Out of our total requirement of 3,300 Mw, we are currently getting only 1,650 Mw. We are buying 800 Mw from outside to maintain a supply of about 2,400 Mw. Hence, there is a necessity to slash power supply at various places,” B C Jena, chief executive officer of Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU), one of the discoms, said.

Orissa has the hydro power production potential of about 2,000 Mw.Though the state received more than enough rains towards the fag end of monsoon that caused devastated back-to-back floods, the key reservoirs situated in the southwest area did not receive ample rainfall.

As a result, Indravati power station, which has the capacity to produce upto 600 Mw energy, is currently generating 125.25 Mw. Similarly, Balimela with 510 Mw capacity is producing 190 Mw power and Hirakud with more than 350 Mw capacity, is generating just 130 Mw.

The thermal power stations, already crippled with coal supply problems from key mines, reduced power production recently due to machinery failure in some plants.