Power shortage hits agriculture

PUNE: With shortage of power, agriculture consumers are currently being provided power in two phases, which would be regularised once power supply is sufficient, said officials from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited.

Officials from MSEDCL said, “At present there is a mismatch in the demand and  supply of power in the state. Due to this, the electricity time table of agriculture consumers has been changed temporarily and it would be restored once the power supply is regularised.”

The officials added that at present agriculture consumers are being given uninterrupted power supply from 1 am to 7 am. 

“Currently, MSEDCL has a power shortage of close to 4000 MW. But MSEDCL is carrying out load-shedding only for 1500 MW. Once the power supply is enough agriculture consumers will be given eight hours power supply during the day and 10 hours at night,” said the officials.

The officials said with the help of State Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the coal supply has been increased which is helping in reducing load-shedding.

“The power generation projects which are shut due to technical reasons are in the process of being re-started. Also efforts are being made to make power available from other sources,” said the officials.