GUWAHATI, June 16 � The State�s grim power scenario resulting from the shutdown of the 275-MW Kopili-Khandong Hydel Power Stations of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) for the past about four months, is expected to improve with the power stations resuming full-capacity generation within a day or two. The power distribution system of the State is hence expected to be stabilized by June 20, highly placed sources in the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) said.
The power shortfall in the State these days is a little above 100 MW during the peak-load hours and around 40 MW during the off-peak load hours, on an average, said the sources.
The NEEPCO plants at Kopili-Khandong can supply the State around 120 MW of power, on an average, under normal condition. But these days, it is supplying around 25 MW to the ASEB grid. This is one of the major concerns of the State's power companies. The plants are expected to resume their full-capacity generation from tomorrow.
The State needs between 900 MW and 1,000 MW of power during the peak-load hours these days depending on the day temperature. It needs around 550 MW to 600 MW of power during the off-peak-load hours these days, said the sources.
On an average, the State is now receiving between 70 MW and 80 MW of power from its own Namrup Thermal Power Station during both the peak-load and off-peak-load hours. Its other thermal power station at Lakwa is supplying around 90 MW to 100 MW of power on an average, during both the peak-load and off-peak load hours.
The State�s own Karbi-Langpi Hydroelectric Power Station is supplying around 50 MW and 100 MW respectively during the off-peak-load and peak-load hours.
NEEPCO�s Ranganadi Hydroelectric Power Station supplies the State around 170 MW of power during the peak-load hours and around 60 MW to 70 MW of power during the off-peak load hours.
The Kathalguri Thermal Power Station of the NEEPCO supplies the State around 70 MW to 80 MW of power during both the peak-load and off-peak load hours if the plant runs at 180 MW to 190 MW capacity.
The Agartala Thermal Power Station of the NEEPCO supplies the State around 34 MW to 35 MW during both the peak load and off-peak load hours.
On the other hand, the Farakka and Kahalgaon power plants of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) supply the State around 150 MW of power during the peak-load hours and around 90 MW to 100 MW of power during the off-peak load hours, said the sources.
When asked to explain why there have been frequent power cuts in Chandmari localities of the city in the past few days, sources said that it was due to sudden rise in the load on a particular feeder in the Chandmari area.
The power demand in the area rose abnormally, perhaps due to the use of modern electric devices by the consumers to combat the rise in the maximum temperature. Efforts are on to divert some load from the affected feeder. Improvement in the power scenario in these localities is expected shortly.
On the issue of prolonged power cuts in the interior areas, particularly in West Assam, sources said that it was due to the non-completion of the supply network system restoration programme in these areas. The power supply network in the West Assam areas got severely affected under the impact of the thunderstorms that lashed the State during the pre-monsoon season this time, sources said.
