GUWAHATI, May 14 � Rains have reduced power consumption by around 10 per cent in the State these days, compared to that of the corresponding period (April-May) last year. The State received 547.3 mm of rainfall, against the normal of 371.9 mm, recording a 47 per cent excess rainfall during this pre-monsoon season, from March 1 to May 10.
According to sources in the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB), the State needs between 800 MW and 850 MW of power during the peak load hours, between 5pm and 11 pm, these days. This is due to the rains. Again, due to the rains, the power requirement of the State has come down to around 450 MW to 500 MW during the off peak hours� that is during the day time, while the night hour power demand has come down to around 600 MW to 650 MW.
However, during the sunny days, the day time power demand is around 500 MW to 600 MW, while during the peak load hours the power demand goes up to around 900 MW and the night hour power demand varies between 650 MW to 700 MW.
But, the State is presently having a shortfall of around 100 MW to 120 MW during the day time and night hours, while its peak load hour shortfall is around 150 to 200 MW. The State is receiving around 300 MW of power on an average from the Central Sector power generators like the NEEPCO and the NTPC, during the day and night hours and around 500 MW of power during the peak load hours.
It is receiving around 150 MW of power from the Assam Power Grid Corporation Ltd (APGCL) during the day and night hours and around 200 MW of power during the peak load hours.
It is expected that good rainfall activities during the summer may improve the power availability scenario in the State this time adding around 200 MW during the off peak load hours and around 300 MW during the peak load hours. But despite this, it is feared that the State may face a deficit of around 50 MW to 100 MW of power during the peak load hours in the coming summer, said the sources.
This deficit may be made up with procurement from the energy exchanges --- National Power Exchange and Indian Power Exchange-located at Delhi, the sources said.
It is pertinent to note here that the 220 Kv power transmission network is yet to cover several north bank districts like Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Darrang, Udalguri, Nalbari, Barpeta, Chirang etc and the Majuli Subdivision of Jorhat district, besides the districts of the Barak Valley.
