After week’s relief, Maharashtra firm back to power cuts

Power cuts were enforced across categories, barring top revenue generating ones, on Thursday, said sources

State utility Mahavitaran has started enforcing power cuts from Thursday because of acute electricity shortage. A week without load-shedding has come to an end, said Energy Minister Nitin Raut, blaming the deficit mainly on Adani Power's Tiroda thermal plant which has reduced a contracted supply of 3,100 MW to 1,765 MW. He said Adani Power will be served a show-cause notice under relevant sections of the Electricity Act, 2003 for dishonouring the contractual obligation in the time of crisis.

In addition to Adani, all private firms that have breached contractual obligations, will be served notice, said the CMO in a statement. Power cuts were enforced across categories, barring the top revenue generating ones, as the state's demand, excluding Mumbai' three private firms, increased to 24,000 MW on Thursday, said sources.

Raut confirmed the large-scale load-shedding after a meeting with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday evening, and said he was not sure when the power cuts would end. He added that other than Adani Power's 1,400-MW shortfall, Tata's Coastal Gujarat Power Station has given 130 MW less supply while JSW did not supply any on Thursday.

Nitin Raut, energy minister

The energy minister said that since electricity was not available in the open market, the utility had to enforce cuts in the areas where bill recovery is less. State generation arm Mahagenco has been trying to increase its production to 8,000 MW from the present 7,100 MW, but it will need another two to three days to ramp up the output, said Raut. Source in the company said power cuts were enforced in addition to the scheduled programme.

Thackeray had called the review meeting on Thursday after he was apprised of the situation early this week. "We discussed the planning till October this year. Demand also peaks in October," he stated. Raut added that the rain forecast, if proved true, could provide some relief in the next three-four days.

Another priority amid coal shortage is the preparation ahead of the monsoon. The crucial months need coal stock to run the stations, said company officials. Commenting on coal shortage, Raut said even the Coal Ministry has pointed fingers at Railways for not planning coal transport. Insiders say that Adani Power also faces coal shoratge which has drastically reduced electricity generation at Tiroda plant.

Adani power says

Adani Power spokesperson said the company has not received anything in writing from the government or the distribution company