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States to face action for overdrawing power
Manoj Kumar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 11
Concerned at the continuing overdrawing of power from the northern power grid, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) today warned stern action against states, including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, for violating the grid code leading to low frequency and breakdown at various places.

“We are receiving reports that apart from UP, other states in North India, including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, are also overdrawing power even after frequency dips below threshold limit of 49 Hz. We will take stern action, including heavy penalty, against them as per the rules if they do not stop immediately,” said CERC Chairman Ashok Basu.

Even individuals or affected clients can make a complaint against the violators, he said adding that the commission was serious in maintaining grid discipline.

Power experts said fall in frequency and subsequent voltage decline severely affected home appliances like TV, refrigerators and air conditioners.

The NTPC has already complained that overdrawing of power is affecting its machines.

In case of grid failure, said officials, the railways, hospital and other services would be severely affected besides loss of industrial production. The revival of grid would take many hours.

“We will not discriminate among the states and want the regulatory commission to take any action to check violation of overdrawing of power from the grid,” said Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, after inaugurating a conference, India Electricity-2006, here today.

On whether the Centre was ignoring the violation of grid codes by Congress-ruled states, including Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, the minister said: “It is not true. We will take action against any state in case of violations,” adding that the power situation in North India has marginally improved over the past few days due to steps taken by the regulator and government.

The commission has asked the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NLRDC) to report cases of violations resulting in dipping of power below 49 Hz, especially during peak hours in the evening.

Although the power grid has taken measures to save the grid from collapsing, but sharp fall in frequency coupled with breakdown at power plants can lead to heavy losses.

As per data provided by the NRLDC, major states in North India have been overdrawing power for the past many days.

“Whenever, the grid frequency falls below 49 Hz, it poses danger of collapse of the grid. The frequency dips to as low as 48.5 Hz, and it is only the lower drawl of power by Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Uttaranchal that is saving the grid,” said a senior official of the NRLDC.

On May 9, UP withdrew 2,963 MW against scheduled withdrawal of 2,501 MW, Delhi 1,937 MW as against 1,913 MW, Haryana 1,864 MW against schedule of 1,763 MW and Punjab 2,434 MW as against 2,181 MW quota.