MSEB tries novel means to overcome power shortfall

PUNE: From load shedding to load sharing, incentivising energy conservation through rebates on the electricity bill for lower usage, trading or bidding for energy conservation... all of these are possible measures for energy conservation, a reduction in consumption and thus help all users tide over the current power shortage in the state.
These were among some of the ideas which were discussed at a meeting between officials of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) and the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) and members of the Pune Vyaspeeth, a local body.
Pune faces a daily peak power shortage of 100-115 MW, has a peak demand of 700 MW while availability is restricted to 600 MW. If every one of its 10 lakh consumers practised some self discipline and helped save 40 watt, the city can overcome its three- hours- a- day load shedding. As a short term measure, load sharing could be one way out, till additional generation capacity is created, SP Ranade, of the MCCIA''s sub committee on energy, said.
The MSEB has already had success with load sharing in a village in Sangamner taluka of Nashik district. That success has given the state electricity board sufficient confidence that it can roll it out as a pilot in Pune. What it needs, though, is to set up a control room at its zonal office in Pune, from where it can monitor power drawal. Such a control room is likely to be ready by March 15, Rameshsinh Gautam, Chief Engineer, Pune, MSEB, said, following which a pilot could begin in the city. He was categorical that it would be restricted to Pune city and not to Pune rural.
He added that the cooperation of consumers is essential for this to work and appealed to the MCCIA and the Pune Vyaspeeth to ensure the message is spread.
Should this not work and the 100 MW shortfall not bridged, the other option with MSEB is to make people pay for use. The MSEB has drawn up a project dividing its users into ten groups. These range from the lowest paying areas (with high losses for the SEB) at number one position, to the high revenue paying areas at tenth position. If the load sharing does not work out, then the areas identified in the first group will suffer load shedding first and the tenth group last.
While this makes economic sense, it will require a high level of political will to implement. Since the state''s power situation has worsened from September-October 04, when the government announced free power to farmers, such a step seems unlikely.
"People enjoying electricity yet not paying for it must be the first to suffer load shedding," was the view expressed.
Mr Gautam explained that of the city''s 728 MW load, 300MW is the non-sheddable. Of the balance 450 MW sheddable, roughly 100 MW is being shed during 15 hours over a five-day week.
While these are part of MSEB''s demand-side management to handle the shortfall, members of the Pune Vyaspeeth suggested other measures like incentivising users. As an example, they suggested a 10 per cent reduction in consumption should be eligible for a rebate in bills. Another suggestion referred to emission control trading wherein companies can bid to lower the load for economic gain, through e-bidding. These moves had proved successful in the Californian power crisis of 2000 summer.
Mr Ranade said the MSEB should tap the potential 400 MW generation capacity through reneweable energy in Pune district. This can be generated by small hydel, bio-mass or co-generation power plants which can come on line in 12-15 months.