KSEB order puts NTPC in a fix

KOCHI, MAR 15: The stand-off between the Kerala State Electricity Board KSEB and the National Thermal Power Corporation NTPC over the power tariff for the power generated from Kayamkulam thermal station has taken a new turn with the SEB sending a fresh missive to the power major directing it to regulate the generation of power from the Kayamkulam thermal power plant in tune with load requirement of the local despatch grid.

The SEB has put the power major in a fix by deciding to pay only for the power fed to the grid as per the demand at peak and lean periods of the local grid. The decisions by SEB follows the power majors refusal to pare down the Rs-four per unit tariff slapped for the Kayamkulam power.

KSEB has decided to pay only Rs 2.75 per unit for the interim period for the power drawn from the Kayamkulam station. Top sources in KSEB told The Indian Express that the SEB has issued a full Board Order BO directing NTPC to regulate the supply of power from the Kayamkulam thermal station as per therequirement of the local despatch grid. The chief engineer of the local despatch grid was authorised to gauge the demand and draw power accordingly from the Kayamkulam station, the source added. The SEB would only pay for the supply of power authorised by the chief engineer, he added.