Assam Assembly worried over dismal power scenario

Peak-hour power demand 2,000 MW against 350 MW generation

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The wide power demand-generation gap in the state worried the legislators in the State Assembly, cutting across the party line. The MLAs also had to frown for dismal performances in other areas in the state power sector.

The daily demand for power in peak hours in the state is 2,000 MW against the daily generation of 350 MW. The government informed the House that it had set the target for generating 2,941 MW power daily in future.

The discussion on the power sector marked the day in the state Assembly. BPF MLA Durga Das Boro said, "The state generated 250 MW of power daily in 2009. And in 2021, daily power generation in the state is 350 MW. In the past 11 years, the state was able to produce only 100 MW more power. If power generation in the state goes at this pace, when will the state be self-sufficient in power? Why doesn't the government stress mini and micro-hydroelectric projects, alternative sources of power like solar power etc.?"

BJP MLA Jitu Goswami said, "The power sector needs special importance. We have prospects of alternative sources of power. We need to conduct surveys for alternative sources of power and proceed."

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam (junior) said, "Adequate power is the prerequisite for industrial development. How can we think of industrial development with this dismal picture of power generation in the state? We need to check power theft as well."

UPPL MLA Gobinda Basumatary said, "The huge power demand-generation gap does not augur well for the state. Low-voltage is very common due to mismatch between the number of consumers and the capacity of transformers."

CPI(M) legislator Manoranjan Talukdar said, "The per capita power consumption in the state is 340 KW now that will be 924 KW by 2030. How can we meet this huge gap? We need to rack our brains from now."

Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi said, "The huge T&D (transformation and distribution) loss burns holes in consumers' pockets. The supply of poor quality transformers also leads to the erratic power supply."

BJP MLA Hemanga Barthakur said, "The naked aluminium wire needs insulation. During storms, such wires break and pose a threat to human life."

Congress MLA Diganta Barman also raised the same issue.

On behalf of Power Minister Bimal Borah, Industries Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary admitted that the poor power scenario in the state is a hindrance to industrial development. He said, "We have the target of generating 2,941 MW of power in the coming years. We have laid importance on mini and micro-hydroelectric plants, besides alternative sources like solar and gas-based power. Despite low power generation, there is no power shortage in the state. We can meet the demand from the market.

"We have 93,000 transformers at hand. We have floated tenders for the purchase of 9,000 more transformers. To check the T&D loss, we are using new technology now.

"Recently, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank approved Rs 3,400-crore loan to the state. This amount is for an 11,000-km HT (High Tension) line for a high-voltage power distribution system. The Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd (AEGCL) has also got a Rs 4,510-crore ADB loan for strengthening the power transmission network.

"Right now, we have 82,000 smart meters. We have floated tenders for the purchase of six lakh more smart meters. At some places, pre-paid meters are also in use."

Other legislators who spoke were Nandita Garlosa (BJP), Pradip Hazarika (AGP), Bidya Sing Engleng (BJP), Diganta Kalita (BJP), Nurul Huda (Congress), Bharat Narah (Congress), Asraful Hussain (AIUDF), and others.

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