While most of the country gripes about the bleak 15 per cent gap in demand and supply of electricity, Maharashtra would probably call them lucky. The state is confronting a mind-boggling energy deficit of 40 per cent and facing a shortfall of anywhere between 4,000 MW to 5,500 MW against its generation capacity of about 14,000 MW. Barring Mumbai, most urban areas endure seven-eight-hour long power cuts, while rural areas suffer through up to 14 hours. Even Pune, which was exempt from such rationing of energy since June 2006, now undergoes up to six-hour-long power outages daily.

Ironically, this power disconnect has come at a time when the zero-load-shedding ‘Pune Model’, fashioned by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is being replicated in other parts of Maharashtra and is being actively pursued by the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

“The state governments are talking to us to have the model replicated in Bangalore, Chennai and Coimbatore. But the current situation has proven that it is only a quick-fix solution and no substitute for long-term answers in the form of large-capacity power plants,” said Pradeep Bhargava, chairman, Maharashtra State, CII.

Until the end of June, the Pune model was working smoothly, but this changed when the state power utility MSEDCL decided against continuing with the long-term contracting of 100 MW from Tata Power Company for the region as it had in the peak summer months— the rationale was that between July and September, a good monsoon would ensure more hydel output from centres like Koyna. But scanty rains ensured no easing up of power drawn by the agri-sector and the released power continues to be 1,500-1,700 MW shy of what it was supposed to release in the monsoon months.

... contd.