The NTPC was forced to shut its Kawas plant near Surat on Sunday night as the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) could not supply fuel due to floods in South Gujarat.

Talking to Express Newsline, Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) Member (Technical) K K Vaghela said on Monday, that currently the Board was able to meet the State's energy requirement of nearly 4,400 MW, and that at least in the next 10 days the demand was unlikely to increase.

He said the demand from the agricultural sector had reduced considerably, and the Board was supplying it electricity for more than 20 hours daily. According to an estimate, the agricultural sector consumes about 800 MW electricity daily. According to information, the GEB has its share of 1,000 MW of power in the NTPC, including 600 MW of Kawas. The State receives rest of the power from NTPC plants in Korba and Vindhyachal.

Vaghela said it could draw about 200 MW extra as Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh also did not require more power due to good rains.

Although Vaghela admitted a shortfall of 600 MW, he said it would not affect the power situation in Gujarat immediately.