Even while trying to meet the growing demand for power and ensuring uninterrupted power supply in the city, the government is considering levying extra charges on the families in Mumbai who consume above 300 units of electricity to give relief to middle class and lower income families.
Energy minister Chandrashekar Bawankule stated it is of utmost importance that a city like Mumbai has uninterrupted power supply. He added instructions have been issued to the department to submit its plan for alternate power supply to Mumbai within 15 days.
Currently Mumbai needs a maximum power supply of 3,416 MW per month while the supply is around 2005.31 million units. As per Mahavitaran’s projection, by 2021 the maximum demand for power in Mumbai will be around 4,350 MW per month. Out of the actual demand Mahavitaran supplies 250 MW, Tata 1,048 MW, BEST 838 and R-Infra 1,530 MW. Mr Bawankule stated that the aim of the government is to ensure that the burden of power tariff rates for those consuming less than 300 units is not raised.
In order to meet the growing demand for power, the state government is planning to construct two thermal-based 660 MW units at port side of Dahanu in Thane district.
The minister further said that the four power utilities supplying power to Mumbai, — Mahavitaran, BEST, Tata and R-Infra — have been asked to present their annual tariff plans for 2016-17 to the state government before submitting them to
the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission. He added that energy secretary Mukesh Khullar has been asked to study the issue of power tariff in Mumbai and submit his report to the government.
Mr Bawankule further said the government has given its nod for converting unit six of Tata Power Company’s oil-based 500 MW plant into thermal.
