GRIDCO has achieved power surplus with total availability of around 5709 MW of power from Hydro, thermal and renewable sources

Bhubaneswar:31/7/17:  Odisha figures in the list of top five States in the country in power system availability and reduction in system loss because following the launch of innovative reform measures.

Officials reviewing the performance of Orissa Power Transmission Company Limited OPTCL) and Grid Corporation (GRIDCO) said because of a series of internal restructuring and reforms OPTCL during last 4 years, the live system availability and supply of quality power to consumers has significantly increased up to 99.98 %.

The Corporation has been conferred with Gold Seal Award by Ministry of Power, Govt of India consecutively for 3 years from 2012-13 to 2014-15 for this significant achievement. During this period the transmission system loss has also been reduced by 26 points. Secretary Sri Sharma appraised that the commercial loss has been reduced from 39% to 36% during the last year. The aggregate technical and commercial (AT &C) loss has been reduced around 4% during the last year. It may be pertinent here to mention that 1% reduction in AT & C loss saves around Rs.80 Cr.  in power sector. As such, the reform and restructuring measures in the power generation, transmission and distribution sectors as implemented through these two Corporations has resulted in saving of around Rs.320 crore in past years.

GRIDCO has achieved power surplus with total availability of around 5709 MW of power from Hydro, thermal and renewable sources against the average demand of around 3200 MW. The availability of power has exceeded the general demand of power which is likely to create additional financial burden on GRIDCO in coming years. In the light of this, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi advised GRIDCO to increase its trading capacity through direct long term tie up with potential bulk buyers through a special tariff. It was decided in the meeting to adopt the measures like surrender of high cost power, swap high cost loans,  achieve distribution system improvement by standardizing all process, introduction of franchise for better operation and participation in spot market through power exchanges & power banking arrangement.

With regard to power generation, OPTCL has augmented its infrastructure over the years. Presently around 134 grids with 13177 kms of transmission line are in operation. Secretary Energy and CMD OPTCL Sri Sharma said that around 1 new grid station is getting added in every alternative month. This year target has been fixed to charge new 18 grid stations.

The progress of OPTCL projects for the Business Plan Period from 2015-16 to 2018-19 were reviewed  in the meeting. It was seen that a total number of 80 projects were planned for the period. As of now, 63 projects have been grounded out of which 25 have been completed. Chief Secretary Padhi directed to expedite other projects and complete those within scheduled time period. Energy Secretary Sharma said that the load forecast for 13th Plan period (2017-18 to 2021-22) is around 29,209 million unit. Keeping in view this expected load factor, OPTCL decided to augment its infrastructure by adding 57 new sub-stations of different capacities ranging from 132 KV to 765 KV during the period.

Tags: