PANJIM: With the State aiming to provide 24×7 power supply to all consumers by 2019, it is estimated there will be an almost 70 percent increase in the peak hour power demand in the next three to four years. The government has decided to go for competitive-based power purchase, undertaking a detailed study on the State’s short, medium and long-term power requirements so as to facilitate the growing demand.
In a detailed statement issued by the government before the Union Power Ministry, it has said that in order to achieve the objective of 24×7 power supply, Goa will see an increase in peak demand from 450 MW in financial year 2014-15 to 934MW in 2018-19.
Apart from this, with the resumption of iron ore mining activities, at halt since September 2012, the State may see an additional power demand of 70MW.
“The demand for electricity from the households in Goa will increase marginally since power is already being supplied for 24 hours,” the statement issued by State Principal Secretary (Energy) Arun Goyal, reads. The information was produced after Goa was selected for the ‘24×7 Power for All’ programme by the Union Ministry.
As per information, the present power availability of the State is 471MW, which includes power from private generation entities in the State and excluding share from unallocated quota, which varies from 50MW to 65MW. In order to meet the increased demand, the State has signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Central generating agencies. “However, power available from these plants will not suffice to meet the incremental demand,” the State said.
Therefore, Goa has planned to request for additional allocation from central generating stations and also go ahead with competitive based power purchase after undertaking a detailed short, medium and long-term power requirements of the State.
Presently, the power consumers in the State are around 5.83 lakh, with domestic consumers 4.70 lakh.
