Power cut, but not in daytime

BHUBANESWAR: After the power cut decision, comes the balm from the Government. The power distribution companies have been directed by the State Government to defer regulation of power during daytime in view of the torrid heatwave conditions in the State.As per the Government direction, there will be no scheduled power regulation from 10 am to 5 pm. Power regulation is restricted to morning and evening peak hours. The distribution companies are allowed load restriction of one hour each in morning and evening hours on a rotation basis.With the State facing an average deficit of 400 MW and peak deficit of 700 MW, power regulation was the only way out. The State Load Despatching Centre (SLDC) had instructed the four distribution companies (distcoms) to decrease their load during daytime by resorting to load-shedding till 2 pm. Accordingly, the distcoms had prepared the schedule for power cut for each division and this was supposed to be made effective from Sunday.However, the Government decided against the power regulation during daytime in view of scorching heat. The decision was taken after a review of the power situation in the State at a high-level meeting, chaired by Minister of State for Energy Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, here on Saturday.The decision was taken despite the fact that there was a shortfall of about 400 MW during the daytime. The crisis further deepened due to stoppage of power supply from the independent power plant of Sterlite Energy, Jharsuguda, from Thursday night. The first unit of  Sterlite Energy was supplying 340 MW power to the State.The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) in its May 11, 2010, order had issued broad guidelines for management and supply of power under a power-deficit situation.As per the OERC guidelines, SLDC, OPTCL and the distribution companies will take appropriate steps for equitable distribution of power when a situation of mismatch in demand and supply of power arises.“In case of certain contingencies and/or threat to system security, SLDC may direct a user to decrease its drawal by a certain quantum,” the OERC order said.