Assam still facing 200 MW average power deficits 

Guwahati, Sep 16 : Assam is still facing a power shortage of 200 MW on average during peak hours and the impending dry season threatens to worsen the scenario, as the state is heavily dependant on hydel projects for power generation. 

''The demand for power during peak hours has gone up from 700 MW in 2004 to almost 900 MW this year. But there has not been proportionate increase in generation and the deficit rainfall this year has further worsen the situation,'' state Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said here today.  

He added that the state was facing a deficit of 200 MW on an average during the peak demand hours.  

''Though the situation had improved marginally after heavy showers since the last month, it is far from being ideal,'' Mr Bordoloi stated. 

''Several hydel projects have again been forced to stop production during the day hours due to shortage of water, he added.  

The thermal project at Kathalguri was also not being able to generate power to its capacity as a gas compressor was out of order and foreign expertise needed to repair it was still awaited.  

The minister pointed that the power shortage was visible across the country and hence, acquiring additional power from the National Grid was also out of question.

''The heavy dependency on hydel projects is a reason for the deficit situation,'' Mr Bordoloi said. 

He informed that the state is depended on hydel projects for 75 per cent of its power supply and only 25 per cent was supplied by the thermal projects.  

The ideal ratio is thermal projects meeting 60 per cent power demand and hydel projects, taking care of about 40 per cent.