PANAJI
Goa’s electricity department is exploring emergency measures to tackle a growing power shortage, with Chief Electrical Engineer (CEE) Stephen Fernandes expected to meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Power Minister Ramkrishna “Sudin” Dhavalikar on Monday to discuss options for bridging the State’s peak-hours power deficit.
The move comes amid concerns over reduced power availability from the national grid, largely attributed to erratic hydropower generation and coal deficit for thermal stations following deficient rainfall.
Senior officials have acknowledged that the situation could worsen if supply conditions do not improve.
The department has already begun load-shedding for industrial consumers, prompting concern among Goa’s business community. The issue was also recently taken up by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) with Sawant, seeking government intervention.
Following the meeting between the GCCI delegation led by its President Pratima Dhond and the chief minister, the CEE met with representatives of around 30 major industries and held discussions at the electricity department headquarters on Saturday.
Fernandes informed industry representatives that the power situation remains critical and additional load-shedding may become necessary.
According to the department, Goa currently requires an additional 80 MW during peak hours and one option under consideration is purchasing peak-hour power from the market at rates ranging from Rs 20 to Rs 22 per unit.
Another option being considered, according to the officials is to procure power round-the-clock at approximately Rs 10 per unit.
Industry representatives have urged the government that the additional cost of purchasing expensive peak hour power be shared between major power consumers and the government rather than passing it entirely to industrial consumers.
At the discussions, Fernandes indicated that detailed calculations are being prepared to assess the financial impact on large consumers and preliminary estimates suggest an increase of about Rs 1.50 per unit during normal hours and around Rs 3 per unit during peak hours.
Fernandes told the industry representatives that the final data will be placed before the government during Monday’s discussions.
