Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: Abysmally inadequate generation of power in Assam led the State Power Department to spend around a whopping Rs 22,000 crore to purchase power from other sources in three years.
The requirement of power in Assam during the peak hour in 2016-17 was 1,633 MW, which increased by almost 75 per cent to be 2,809 MW in 2024-25. The average generation of power in the state is around 400 MW. To meet the shortage of electricity in the state during the peak hour, the APDCL purchased electricity from different sources and agencies. It purchased power worth Rs 5,917 crore in 2021-22, worth Rs 8,479 crore in 2022-23, and worth Rs 8,481 crore in 2023-24. Thus, in these three financial years, the APDCL purchased power worth around Rs 22,877 crore.
According to estimates, in 2024-25, APDCL purchased power worth around Rs 8,700 crore. In 2023-24, the requirement of power in Assam was 13344 million units (MU) against the own power generation of 2046 MU.
According to sources, the state has the majority of domestic power consumers, numbering around 63.20 lakhs, besides 3.76 lakh commercial consumers as of 2023-24.The state government is now laying stress on solar power. The department has a target of generating around 6,000 MW of solar in the next few years. The department has roped in some big companies that have already started their process for solar power plants in the state. The government is also trying to install solar power in all government offices and buildings. Under the Prime Minister’s PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijili Yojana, many residents in the state have started installation of rooftop solar power plants.
Also read: India’s Power Demand Surges: Crisil Intelligence Report
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