Bhubaneswar:
With Odisha facing shortage of about 550 MW of electricity every day due to reduction in hydro-power generation, the load-shedding is likely to continue till June next year.
"We are facing a shortfall of 500-550 MW because of a drastic fall in hydro power generation. Therefore, we have no choice but to go for power cuts till June next year," state Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das told reporters.
Stating that the hydro-power generation has come down to 750 MW due to fall in water level in different reservoirs, the minister said the state used to generate 1750 MW from hydro-sector in peak hours and 1000 MW in normal hours. Due to low level of water in reservoirs, power generation had come down to only 750 MW, he said.
Asked whether the situation can improve in near future, Mr Das said "If it rains adequately over the next one month, the situation may change. But, we do not expect such a situation as monsoon is on the wane."
The minister said the load-shedding could continue till two to two-and-half hour everyday across the state.
He said the state was trying to operate two units being developed by IPPs (Independent Power Producers) by the end of this year.
"If we can get at least 500 MW of electricity from the two IPP units, situation could change," he said.
Asked about reduction in hydro-power generation, the minister said "we are storing the remaining water for agriculture purpose and as part of preparedness for the ensuing summer."
This apart, the minister said that the demand for power had also abnormally increased in the state. "Normally, the demand peaks in May-June (summer) touches and 4000 MW. But this year, we have crossed that level. Now the peak hour demand is about 4100 MW against the summer peak hour demand of 4,000 MW," the minister said.
Terming the deficient rainfall as a national phenomenon, the energy minister said Odisha was not the lone state which had gone for the load-shedding. It was happening in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. Even Bangalore city was having 7 hours of power cut in a day, the minister said.
The minister said the state also faced difficulties in getting electricity from thermal sector as some of the NTPC's units were under maintenance.
The opposition Congress and BJP strongly criticized the state government for implementing power cut in September.
"We have never seen such a situation in the past. The situation is caused due to government's lack of foresight," said senior BJP leader Pratap Sarangi.