Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Even as there are frequent power shutdowns and tripping etc, the State government claims there is no load shedding in Goa.
“As we face the summer heat waves it is a general phenomenon where the requirement of power and energy tips to the higher side. Coincidentally thermal generators have to bear the brunt of added load as the demand increases substantially. Meeting the requirements of increased load and demand is a problem faced by all the states in the country,” says a press note issued by the Department of Information.
It says that other states are facing this issue with equal severity and response to the issue with a slight disparity, that is, load shedding, i.e. cutting off the power supply to a few areas to balance the supply of electricity.
“Goa Government has been seen managing the issue of increasing demand and expected uninterrupted supply with a much more feasible approach. Goa has seen progress in its industrial sector in the past few years, which has created an ever-increasing demand for power supply to enable the ceaseless functioning of the factories and machinery,” it says.
The government note further says that to bring in ease while we adapt to the season’s requisition of power, Goa Government took a step to purchase power from open markets where auctions occur every day.
“Goa State Industries Association welcomed the government’s suggestion with open arms and offered to pay for the difference in amount as the open market electricity prices surge as per the demand in the market. This has enabled the government to provide the power allocated by the Central Government through Central Sector Power Stations of NTPC and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Goa is using its share in the central government’s power provision to deliver required amount of power to its domestic user along with every other class of power user all across the state with equal distribution,” it said.
Further, it said, the Central sector has allotted approximately 518 MW power to the state of Goa which is routed to the state through NTPC and NPCIL.
“In addition to this, the electricity department also purchases power from co-generation stations within the state which generate upto 25 MW power. Vedanta I generates 14 to 21 MW, Vedanta II generates 2 MW while Goa Sponge and Power Ltd provides the state with another 2 MW power,” the press release says.
Also, the Electricity department has also been procuring solar power from Solar Energy Corporation India Limited, which contributes 25 MW, and 6 MW from NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. Also, Non Solar power is purchased from SECI Wind Tranche II (50 MW) and Hindustan Waste Treatment Pvt. Ltd. (0.34 MW), it adds.
Power is also procured for short terms through the open market, trading, banking etc., to meet basic deficits faced by the state. The state’s total power availability, including all the sources mentioned above, now stands at 725 MW.
“The agenda with which Government of Goa has approached the power issues is a proactive approach which enables the government to provide an incessant supply of power to every stakeholder and customer in Goa,” it says.
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