Power deficit may cause blackouts across Gujarat

If you are depending on air-conditioners and coolers to see you through the summer heat, think again. Many places in Gujarat may experience power cuts because, in the 2009-10 fiscal, the state is likely to be plagued by power deficit during peak hours of demand. The worst will come in June — the hottest of the summer months — when the power deficit will be as high as 21% of the demand.

Data available with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) indicates that power deficit in the state during peak hours of demand will vary from month to month. For instance, in October this year, Gujarat will need 10,234 megawatts (MW) of electricity to meet the demand during peak hours but it will have only 8,736 MW for distribution among consumers, leaving it with a power deficit of 14.96%. The peak hour deficit is expected to be 18% in July, 11% in August, 13% in September, 11% in November and December, 8% in January 2010, 10% in February 2010 and 5% in March 2010.

The peak hours of demand on almost all days of the year are between 7 and 11 in the morning, and again between 6 and 10 in the night. Besides peak hour deficit, the overall power deficit in the state is expected to be around 4% of the demand in 2009-10.