NTPC To Activate 5000-7000 MW Idle Capacity For Southern Grid

In the initial phase, the southern states are likely to have access to around 1,500 MW of additional power once the all India national power grid becomes fully operational.

The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), which has successfully synchronised the isolated southern grid with national grid, has started testing the grid strength by releasing 200-250 MW of power in the transmission lines, a move likely to give big relief to the southern region in the summer months.

After initial testing of the grid for the next two to three months, it is proposed to unleash an additional 1500 MW of power for the southern states, which likely to provide relief from power cuts and load shedding.

Sensing the opportunity, state-run NTPC is already preparing to activate its idle lying capacity to the tune of 5000 to 7000 MW to generate electricity for the newly connected grid. Due to failure of the state electricity boards (SEBs) to buy power from NTPC and other entities during the peak summer months, due to lack of finances, a lot of idle lying capacity has been created which has not been utilised till date.

NTPC officials are of the view that integration of the southern grid with the national network is likely to help NTPC utilise this capacity as power demand from Southern states have always remained high. NTPC also plans to activate another 2000 MW generation capacity lying idle due to non-availability of gas.

In the initial phase, the southern states are likely to have access to around 1,500 MW of additional power once the all India national power grid becomes fully operational. In the absence of grid connectivity, the southern region was unable to utilise excess power available in other regions. South witnessed peak power deficit of 6.8 per cent in November last year, the highest among the regions. Peak power deficit refers to shortage of electricity when demand is at the maximum.

The power deficit states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh are likely to be the main beneficiaries of this new connectivity and would be able to draw extra power from the northern region especially during the summer, from March to May, when Southern states usually face a power crunch.