Govt asks CPPs to raise power productions

"We have requested the CPPs set up by industries to increase their production in order to avoid power cut in the state," Energy Minister Atanu S Nayak told reporters admitting that the state had been facing shortage of about 700 mw daily. The minister, however, claimed that the situation had improved today as the state government was able to arrange 400 mw by roping in Independent Power Producers (IPPs) of Vedanta, JSPL and Arti.

"Besides, one of the two units of Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) at Ib will be made functional today. We expect generation of about 200 mw from Ib thermal power plat," the minister said adding that problem arised as the hydro-power generation declined. To add to the problem, one of the units of the Ib thermal unit become defunct and NTPC power stations generated less eelctricity due to technical reasons. The state which required about 3300 mw during peak hours, experienced shortage of about 700 mw, he said.

The state government, however, termed the situation as "temporary" and expressed confidence of overcoming it within a day or two. Meanwhile, the people across the state, except the state capital here and Cuttack city, had been experiencing power cuts.