The state governments order to supply uninterrupted power across the state during peak hours 6pm to 10pm for the benefit of students taking board examinations has landed the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation in trouble. On March 22,the first day of implementation of the order,UP had to overdraw up to 1,500 MW of electricity from the central grid. This was apart from the additional purchase of about 1,100 MW from Indian Energy Exchange. This overdraw had to be reduced fearing penalty by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. Today,despite its best efforts,the government failed to provide electricity to all areas as it got only 1,200 MW from Indian Energy Exchange on Friday. Officials fear that with temperatures rising,implementation of the order would become nearly impossible because the corporation,which is already facing losses of over Rs 10,000 crore,cannot purchase at higher rates from the exchange to meet the current demand during peak hours. Sources said to meet the demand in residential areas and limit its overdraw from the central grid,rostering was done in industrial areas. At present our only hope is good weather. We do not have enough power to supply at all places during peak hours. Overdraw cannot be done beyond a certain limit and we cannot bid at higher rates at the energy exchange like other states, said a government official. UPPCL officers are on their toes these days,trying to figure out ways to provide uninterrupted supply during peak hours. Implementation of the order requires around 2000 MW of electricity in addition to the existing average demand of about 8300 MW each day. Actual generation in UP is only about 3500 MW and the state is getting 4000 MW from the Centre. Thus,against the demand of 10,000 MW during peak hours,the state has only 7500-8000 MW to supply. The rest is either purchased from the energy exchange or overdrawn from the central grid. The government has also given directions to ensure 24-hour power supply in Etawah,Mainpuri,Kannauj and Rampur. Etawah is the home district of Mulayam Singh; Mainpuri is his parliamentary constituency. Kannuaj was the parliamentary constituency of CM Akhilesh Yadav. Rampur,on the other hand,is the home district of SP leader Azam Khan.
