Delhiites are being assured of better power supply this summer with state-owned Powergrid Corporation having made provision for transfer of surplus electricity from other regions.

"We have made a provision for surplus 100MW of power in addition to the expected peak requirement of 3,450MW in summer," R.P. Singh, chairman and managing director of Powergrid, told reporters here Friday.

Power cuts in the city were not due to lack of electricity but because of continuing large-scale pilferage and possible deficiency in the distribution system, which was privatised a couple of years ago.

Delhi's current power requirement is 3,061 MW, which is being fully met.

"With the commissioning of the 400 kV Rihand transmission system two days ago, Delhi now has seven corridors for flow of power from other regions," said Singh.

A 100MW backup has been provided in case of any demand for power beyond the estimated peak requirement of 3,450 MW, he said.

"This has been made possible due to better snowmelt this year, leading to an estimated 500-600MW rise in generation from hydropower sources. The enhancement of the national grid network has made it possible to bring surplus power from the eastern and some parts of northern region to places like Delhi," said Singh.

Assigned the task of setting up the national power grid, Powergrid plans to raise the network capacity from 9,500MW to around 10,900MW by the next fiscal.

"By 2012, our target is the raise the inter-regional transmission network capacity to 30,000MW, which is the national target," said Singh.

"From 500MW transmission capacity five years ago, we have come a long way. In 15 years we have invested around Rs.175 billion to set up the regional and national grids," said Singh.

Among the major projects being undertaken this year are the Dhauli Ganga transmission system that will be completed in a record nine months by 2006 to allow for better supply of surplus power from the eastern and northern regions to the western region, which is currently facing an acute power shortage.

Overall, Powergrid estimates India is currently facing a peak power shortage of around 10,000 MW, which translates to 13 percent shortage during peak hours and about seven to eight percent energy shortage.

The position in Maharashtra is the worst, with a shortage of 3,500MW, followed by 2,500MW in Gujarat, 1,700MW in Madhya Pradesh and 1,600MW in Uttar Pradesh.

To help improve the position in the western region, Powergrid plans to invest Rs.50 billion through the joint venture route to create a western grid to cater to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Powergrid has received necessary clearances and is ready to implement this project for commissioning by 2008-9.

--Indo-Asian News Service