-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goa faces about 80 MW deficit at peak hrs
NT Staff Reporter http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=011332 Panaji Jan 12: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) which is preparing a report on state's infrastructure has indicated that Goa will face a grim power situation in the coming years and suggested urgent needs for adopting back-up power policy for Goa to tide over the situation. The GCCI's report on state's infrastructure covered entire gamut of the infrastructure like roads, water, power and others and will be released soon. The GCCI's sub-committee on infrastructure headed by Mr Mark Rodrigues is preparing the study report, by taking into consideration the power and water demand in coming years. The GCCI president, Mr Nitin Kunkolienkar told The Navhind Times that the power situation is expected to be critical like other states in India in coming years in view of ever increasing demands of power in Goa. Mr Kunkolienkar said the state government should promote captive power plants and wind mills to improve the power situation. Similar views were expressed by the some of the non-residents Indians (NRIs), who had converged at the recently concluded Gomant Vishwa Sammelan. Besides, the officials from the industries department who gave a presentation also mentioned that presently during the peak hours there is a power shortage and heavy industries were directed for load shedding. Goa was claiming of surplus power for two years, it is now struggling in drawing power from the national grid as the state is not allowed to draw additional power during less frequency period due to the fear of trippings. While most of the time the frequency is less along the Western Grid the additional power cannot be drawn. Besides, in view of major overhauling of Korba power generating plant, Goa's 50 Megawatts has been reduced. The officials from the electricity department confirmed that there is a shortage of power during peak hours between 6.30 p.m to 9.30 p.m. The Chief Electrical Engineer, Mr Nirmal Braganza said Goa needs 360 megawatts to 370 megawatts of power during peak hours but in view of reduction of 50 MW from the Western Grid the load shedding has became necessary. The state is presently receiving 270 MW from the national grid and draws 16 MW from Reliance. However, he said the domestic power consumers are not affected in view of this reduction but the load shedding has been imposed on the high tension consumers especially the steel units. The overhauling works on Korba plant will be completed in February, Mr Braganza said the Goa will again start receiving the 50 MW of power. On one hand, the government is going ahead to make Goa the IT hub and promote film studios, the state is preparing to increase its power quota in coming years. Experts say that the power consumption in Goa is increasing because of the changing lifestyle and installation of air-conditioners and geysers in the flats. Though the geysers are normally used in houses during morning hours but the air-conditioners and geysers are used throughout the days in hotels and guest houses. The state government has requisitioned additional 80 MW of power from the Sipat power generating station in Madhya Pradesh, which is yet to be commissioned. However, the state is pursuing the matter to ministry of power (MOP), which is the power allocating authority on the national grid. -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England Comment: Goa faces shortages of Electricity and water....yet illegal squaters are given connections to these utilities with no questions asked! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
