BS reported that anticipating power shortfall in the upcoming summer months, Grid Corporation of Orissa is in the process of striking power banking deals with other states to ensure uninterrupted availability of power and tide over the deficit.

From April 1, Orissa is set to get 200 MW from northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana through the power banking route. Gridco, the bulk power purchaser, is also in talks with other states like West Bengal and Gujarat to procure power through this mode.

A top Gridco official said that “We have been assured 200 MW beginning April 1 this year from the power banking mode. This power will be made available by northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The state will return equivalent quantum of power to these states when it is in a surplus position.”

Meanwhile, to meet the burgeoning power demand of the state during the peak hours, hydro power generation has been stepped up to 700-800 MW during the evening from around 300 MW earlier.

With improved availability from Central thermal power stations, peak power deficit has subsided considerably.

A top official source said that “We have been able to meet almost the entire peak power demand of 3100 MW barring a marginal shortfall of 50-60 MW. Hydro power generation has been scaled up significantly and disruptions in the Farakka and Kahalgaon power stations of National Thermal Power Corporation have been restored. This has helped overcome peak power shortfall to a great extent. Non peak power deficit is hovering around 300 MW.”

The disruptions in power supply from NTPC's power stations had created a shortfall of 300 to 350 MW.

(Sourced from BS)