Goa dares centre over sale of excess power

| 12 November 1998 10:11 IST

Goa government seems to have decided to have an open confrontation with the central government on the issue of sale of excess power allotted to the state, which cannot be wheeled from the national grid due to lack of supportive infrastructure.

Despite a public statement made by union power minister P Kumarmangalam a week ago during his visit here that Goa cannot sell its excess power in violation of the rules, Goa chief minister Dr Wilfred de Souza has issued instructions to invite tenders from private parties to sell it.

"Who says I cannot sell excess power ? I will see who stops me", roared de Souza, when journalists asked him today regarding objections raised by the union power ministry. He feels that states have some powers to decide about the power allotted to them.

Though Goa has been allocated 294 MW from the western grid including 210 MW of it from the Korba station in MP, the actual availability is calculated at 220 MW after taking into account plant load factor, auxiliary consumption and shut downs etc.

Goa however has been drawing only 180 MW from the western grid due to lack of wheeling capacity, while 50 MW excess power has been used by some other states till date. After the new coalition government came to power, de Souza had taken a cabinet decision to invite tenders from private parties, allowing them to wheel it and sale it without bringing it to Goa.

Kumarmangalam had strongly objected to it, stating that rules do not allow to sell the excess power in such a manner, but it is normally shared by other states, if not used. He had however agreed to permit Goa government to set up a sub-station at Korba if it cannot be wheeled, before selling it.

"How can you wheel it and then sell it ? If we could wheel it in, we could have used it since we are already short of power", quips de Souza, reacting to the union minister's proposal. He is also not in favour of setting up a sub-station at Korba for this purpose.

He however claims that he has already settled the matter with the union minister, but did not elaborate.

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