Mumbai: State power utility firm MSEDCL, which supplies Lightning For over 2.8 crore consumers Maharashtra, has announced load shedding in some parts of the state from Tuesday. Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai will not be affected this summer.
Officials on Monday evening said that MSEDCL will not carry out load shedding in Bhandup-Mulund, Thane and Navi Mumbai as these areas have less power distribution losses and better recovery of bill payments as compared to other areas.
“We will do load shedding in areas where there is excess power theft, power distribution loss and bill payment recovery is poor. These include G1, G2 and G3 category consumers which are mostly near welfare area in the Mumbai metropolitan area,” said a senior official.
He said that parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh will face load shedding. “In some urban areas, even if we have power cuts, we plan to limit it to two hours,” he said.
The load shedding is being done due to the unexpected increase in the demand for electricity vis–vis the supply which has been badly hit due to shortage of domestic coal. MSEDCL spokesperson said, “We are facing a shortfall of 2,500 to 3,000MW to meet the growing demand – which is why we are doing load shedding. We are left with no option and are asking consumers to join us. urge you to cooperate.”
Another official said the recent peak demand across Maharashtra increased to over 28,000MW in April from 26,000MW in February. “We fear that the demand may touch 30,000MW soon. Although we have power purchase agreements for 33,700MW, 21,057MW (62%) of this is procured from thermal power stations within and outside the state. Due to shortage, the supply from these thermal stations has declined by 6,000 MW.” MSEDCL MD Vijay Singhal said, “We appeal to the consumers to save electricity daily between 6 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm.”
Officials on Monday evening said that MSEDCL will not carry out load shedding in Bhandup-Mulund, Thane and Navi Mumbai as these areas have less power distribution losses and better recovery of bill payments as compared to other areas.
“We will do load shedding in areas where there is excess power theft, power distribution loss and bill payment recovery is poor. These include G1, G2 and G3 category consumers which are mostly near welfare area in the Mumbai metropolitan area,” said a senior official.
He said that parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh will face load shedding. “In some urban areas, even if we have power cuts, we plan to limit it to two hours,” he said.
The load shedding is being done due to the unexpected increase in the demand for electricity vis–vis the supply which has been badly hit due to shortage of domestic coal. MSEDCL spokesperson said, “We are facing a shortfall of 2,500 to 3,000MW to meet the growing demand – which is why we are doing load shedding. We are left with no option and are asking consumers to join us. urge you to cooperate.”
Another official said the recent peak demand across Maharashtra increased to over 28,000MW in April from 26,000MW in February. “We fear that the demand may touch 30,000MW soon. Although we have power purchase agreements for 33,700MW, 21,057MW (62%) of this is procured from thermal power stations within and outside the state. Due to shortage, the supply from these thermal stations has declined by 6,000 MW.” MSEDCL MD Vijay Singhal said, “We appeal to the consumers to save electricity daily between 6 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 10 pm.”