The situation is turning grim due to increase in demand of electricity in Haryana state. Private companies having contract for supply of electricity with the state government too are avoiding to supply electricity at agreed rates due to non-availability of coal as it is uneconomical for them to supply electricity at committed rates after importing coal from other countries spending huge amount on shipment of coal.
Ranjit Chautala State Power Minister while talking to media persons told that there is a proposal to set up a new power plant in the state or in another state near to coal mines area to produce 1000 MW electricity daily and has already taken up matter with NGT for approval of project. The consumption of nearly 8600 MW electricity daily at present is likely to increase further between 12000-14000 MW daily during coming peak months June-July as such state government is compelled to have between 8 to 10 hours power cut every day to domestic as well as industry consumers when two power plants at Yamunanagar are producing 660 MW each electricity, three power plants at Panipat are producing 210, 250, 250 MW electricity each. Similarly in Hisar and Jhajjar power plants are producing 660 MW electricity each. NTPC power plant Jhandli also supplying 13955 lakh units electricity to meet the demand of electricity in Haryana.
When talked to industry entrepreneurs of Science City Ambala, they told that electricity is lifeline for every industry and due to 8-10 hours frequent power cuts daily they are suffering heavy production loss between 30-40%, moreover running industry on diesel generating sets is very costly due to risings prices of diesel. The entrepreneurs told that since past about two years industry in the state facing economic crisis due to epidemic outbreak and now incurring losses due to severe power crisis. They told that there is daily requirement of 85000 units electricity in Ambala district at present whereas they are getting hardly between 55000 to 60000 units electricity at present.
Information further reveals, electricity demand in the state has witnessed nearly 30% increase during present year as compared to last year during summer season as a result of shifting of large number of industrial units from National Capital urban area to National Capital Region area in Haryana as such daily demand of electricity has increased from 1000 to 1500 MW which is likely to increase much more further during peak summer season June and July months as such Haryana state government is trying its best to meet electricity demand in coming months. Ranjit Chautala assured people in the state will not face electricity shortage during coming peak summer months.
Meanwhile, Chautala said, every effort is being made to stop power thefts and electricity line losses in the state since HVPN vigilance teams are continuously conducting raids to stop power thefts in Haryana and told that amount worth Rs 1024 crore was collected in raids conducted by542 teams in month April this year. He disclosed that in past three months HVPN vigilance department lodged 70328 FIRs against those involved in power thefts in the state. According to HVPN record, 16493 power theft cases were registered in the state in 2013 followed by 9239 cases registered in 2014, 16095 cases registered in 2015, 22633 cases registered in 2016, 95407 cases registered in 2017, 55225 cases registered in 2018, 28825 cases registered in 2019, 62605 cases registered in 2020. Information also reveals that HVPN vigilance teams were able to collect amount worth Rs 131.70 crore towards power thefts during year 2020-21.
