Loadshedding to be reduced by mid-February

State Energy Minister Sunil Tatkare on Thursday said that there would be a reduction in loadshedding by one more hour by mid-February...

State Energy Minister Sunil Tatkare on Thursday said that there would be a reduction in loadshedding by one more hour by mid-February once power generation starts from the two units of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Limited (RGPPL) project,which pumps in additional 600 MW into the state electricity grid.

Tatkare who had announced reduction in the loadshedding in the state recently by one hour said that his statement had been challenged by BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari who claimed that there was a reduction in the demand for power and that there was no generation of additional power.

Tatkare who was in Pune to participate in a regional conference to improve power generation efficiency told media persons that two units of RGPPL had started in December 2008 and January 2009 providing a total of 600 MW to the grid.

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The problem of shortage of coal had been met with and the generation of thermal power plants had also increased by 250 MW apart from other projects which generated 110 MW. Hence the overall generation of power has increased by 860 MW and hence the state could announce a reduction in loadshedding by an hour,Tatkare emphasised.

Moreover there will be overhauling of three thermal power generation at stations at Bhusawal,Khaparkheda and Chandrapur. The state will provide a grant of Rs 4500 crore for revamping the stations which are over 30 years old.

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