NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji
In spite of remaining cut off from the western power grid for almost 18 hours, unlike other western states, activity in Goa could continue unaffected, thanks to the increased allocation from the southern grid.
"We would have been in real trouble if the southern grid from Karnataka had not agreed to increase our allocation in the emergency situation," R A Ghali, the chief electrical engineer, said.
Goa draws almost 120 MW from the western grid, while only 85 MW is drawn from the southern grid, besides purchasing around 35 MW from the local private generator at an exorbitant price. The total requirement of the tourist state at peak hours is 240 MW.
After the western grid collapsed last night at 8.15 pm (IST) the electricity department immediately switched off all the high-tension feeders supplying power to the steel rolling mills, consuming not less than 80 MW every day.
Due to the off-season, the big five star hotels also came to the rescue, reducing the load.
The real respite, however, was the southern grid officials agreeing to increase the allocation to almost 120 MW the whole night and then keeping the supply at 100 MW during the daytime.
"Since Goa normally draws only 85 MW out of allocated power of 100 MW, this could be possible," Ghali said.
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