Power grids still at risk as states keep overdrawing
Thursday, 02/08/2012
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
Even after two days of grid collapse and massive blackout in the north, northeast and east, states continued to overdraw from the grids on Wednesday. Instead of enforcing grid discipline, the main players were busy playing the blame-game.
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana not only denied charges of overdrawal, but also continued to draw excess power.
UP overdrew 1,000 MW in the morning, while Punjab overdrew 500-1,000 MW in the afternoon, said an official in Power Operation System Company that oversees the functioning of the five grids.
Punjab, UP and Rajasthan, in fact, claimed they drew less power than allotted.
KD Chaudhry, chairmancum-managing director, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), pointed fingers at UP and Haryana.
While UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav blamed the erstwhile Mayawati government for the power woes, his officials blamed poor maintenance of lines — a responsibility of Power Grid Corporation, a central body.
Despite drawing 22% excess power on Tuesday, Haryana’s additional chief secretary of power Ajit M Sharan said the load on the grid did not necessarily led to the collapse.
Though the Centre had ordered a probe, new power minister Veerappa Moily made it clear that he was not interested in a witch hunt.
“At the appropriate time, we will find solutions,” the minister said.
