The Hindu Business Line : Delhi to get 500 MW more by next week

The Nathpa Jhakri plant in Himachal Pradesh, which has been facing problems of high silt levels, would also generate power during evening peak hours.

New Delhi , July 9

Concerned over the deteriorating power availability situation in Delhi as well as the entire Northern region, the Centre and the Delhi Government jointly finalised an action plan today to get an extra 500 MW for the Capital and another 1,450 MW for the northern region by next week.

"We have finalised an action plan. Results would start showing from tomorrow itself and the situation would improve latest by July 12," the Power Secretary, Mr R.V. Shahi, told newspersons after a meeting with senior officials of Delhi Government, NTPC, PGCIL, and the Central Electricity Authority.

The Capital will get about 500 MW from NTPC's Kawas gas-fired plant in Gujarat, while another 1,450 MW would be added for the Northern region, he said.

Since the Northern grid does not have a direct link with the Western region, the Kawas power would flow via the Eastern grid, he added.

Some units such as NTPC's Anta and Auraiya in Uttar Pradesh, which were shut for maintenance, will resume generation within three days. Besides, the Tehri hydel project in Uttaranchal will start generation from July 12, Mr Shahi said.

While 150 MW would flow in from Tehri, 125 MW would come from NTPC's Dadri plant in Uttar Pradesh, 200 MW from Vishnuprayag plant in Uttaranchal, and 125 MW from Anta.

The Nathpa Jhakri plant in Himachal Pradesh, which has been facing problems of high silt levels, would also generate power during evening peak hours, he said.

On the reasons for worsening power supply, Mr Shahi said that various units undertook routine maintenance last week, which could not be postponed further.