‘Two-fold gain’ in power sector of MP

By Muslim Saleem

Bhopal, February 8, 2012

As a step taken towards improving the power related problems in Madhya Pradesh, the State Government paid special attention to better maintenance of power plants, distribution, power transmission, power management among others besides prioritising increase in power generation capacity during the last eight years. It may be mentioned that this is period when Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan is at the helm of the state affairs, reports SMS News & Features.

Several important achievements have been registered in the power sector between the year 2002-03 and 2010-11. During the period, the power generation capacity has increased by more than two-fold to 6,152 megawatts from 2,990 megawatts. An increase of 2,452 MW and 710 MW has been registered in hydel and thermal power generation respectively during the period under report.

The 500 MW extension unit of Birsinghpur thermal power plant became operational from June 18, 2007. It is the maximum power generation capacity unit of the State. Earlier, 210 MW units was the maximum capacity unit in the State.

During the Rabi season of the financial year 2010-11, irrigation pumps in the rural areas were supplied power on three-phase on an average for 11.15 hours. It was the maximum 6 hours 53 minutes on an average during the year 2002-03. This is 43 per cent more than the supply made during the year 2002-03.

During the year 2010-11, peak power demand of 8,331 MW was met. This supply is maximum in the history of the State and about 79 per cent more in comparison to that of the year 2002-03. Peak power demand of 4,600 MW was met during the year 2003.

A number of achievements have also been registered in the power transmission sector. Transmission capacity has also gone up to 8,331 MW against 3,890 MW during this period, which is 114 per cent more. During the year 2002-03, the quantum of transmission losses was 7.93 per cent, which has been brought down to 3.75 by the end of the year 2010.

The number of power consumers has also increased constantly during the period. The number of power consumers has increased to 90 lakh 75 thousand during the year 2010-11 in comparison to 63 lakh 95 thousand consumers eight years ago. A total of 25,356 million units were consumed during the year 2010-11.

Similarly, the length of high-tension lines also went up. It was 17,605 circuit kilometres eight years ago, which rose to 26,469 circuit kilometres during the year 2010-11. Besides, the number of ultra high-tension transformers has risen to 592 from 372. The capacity of ultra high-tension transformers has gone up to 34,232 MVA in comparison to 17,248 MVA of that period. The number of ultra high-tension transformers has increased to 241 from 145.

A programme has been chalked out in the State to increase the existing power generation capacity by about four thousand 700 MW during the next three years for improving power supply scenario in the State.