Veerappa Moily fails to mollify state

There is no end in sight to state’s power woes. Union power minister Veerappa Moily, who was in city on Tuesday to review the power situation in the state, failed to give any firm assurance over supply of gas to thermal power projects in Maharashtra. Generation of nearly 1,200 MW of power was affected due lack of gas supply to power plants at Dabhol and Uran.

Energy department made a presentation before the minister apprising him about the demand-supply gap, generation and the challenges before the government. The minister was told by the government that the power generation is largely affected at two thermal projects leading to shortfall of power. The state government reiterated the shortage of the gas supply by the Reliance-led company from KG Basin.

Moily later told the reporters that shortage of the gas has been a major issue, which needs to be addressed on an urgent basis. “The generation at the RGPPL in Dabhol has reduced almost to a third for last 14 months. Decision about supplying the gas to the project on priority has already been taken. We will take up the issue to the empowered group of ministers and the prime minister to ensure the additional gas supply,” he said.

Praising the efforts taken by the state government towards narrowing the demand- supply gap and reducing the leakages, the minister said Maharashtra’s power deficit is around 6% , which is below the national average.  Moily said his ministry was determined to reduce the shortfall of power. “During the 11th plan, 54,000MW of power was added, while the target for the 12th plan is 84,000 MW. The GDP of the country is all set to be 9 as the power sector is all set to perform well,” he said.

Moily said the power generation in the 12th plan would not be affected even if the allotment of coal blocks was cancelled in the wake of the CAG report as the generation plants have fuel supplies in place.