Aug 2012 Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)Ravinder Vasudeva, Patiala PSPCL objects The news report ‘ PSPCL lie on power availability exposed’ (August 18, 2012) is factually incorrect and has led to misgivings in the minds of consumers of the PSPCL, in particular, and the readers, in general. In order to set the record straight, I am sharing with you the factually correct data.

Available Transfer Capacities (ATC) are regularly displayed on the website of the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) under the caption transfer capability. As on July 29, 2012, the ATC of northern region from western and eastern regions was 5,250 MW; but after the grid failure on July 30 and 31, the ATC for the northern region was curtailed to 3,200 MW. Though the ATC for Punjab remained the same at 5,100 MW, due to reduction in ATC of the northern region by 2,000 MW, the power booked in advance by Punjab could not be transferred in full, and was reduced to the extent of 800 MW, which amounts to curtailment of our transfer capacity. Subsequently, the PSPCL was able to substitute the interregional powers with regional powers to the tune of 400 MW. Even with this substitution and day-to-day purchase from exchange, very rarely could the PSPCL avail the full transfer capability of Punjab, i.e. 5,100 MW. It is wrong to state that booking of power for Punjab was of 5,200 MW, as the NRLDC never booked a corridor for Punjab more than 5,100 MW, which is the pre-decided ATC limit.
Chief, administration, PSPCL Head Office, Patiala

OUR REPORTER REPLIES

The PSPCL has publicly claimed that the ATC of Punjab has been curtailed from 5,100 MW to 4,300 MW. On August 14, the CMD was quoted as saying, “After the grid failure, our transmission capacity has been restricted by NRLDC. We are now able to tap only 4,300 MW from outside sources against the 5,100 MW allotted to us.” NRLDC documents clearly show how the PSPCL has, in fact, been drawing up to 6,000 MW.