Date:21/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/21/stories/2008122153680600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Scope to bring down power distribution losses

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The urban distribution losses of power in the State can come down further, according to the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power, Jairam Ramesh.

He told presspersons here on Saturday after inaugurating the e-auction system for tea that the urban distribution losses in Tamil Nadu were about 20 per cent. “This can come down further.” The Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme aimed at reducing distribution and transmission losses in all towns and cities with more than 30,000 population.

He urged the State Government to make use of this scheme. Through the programme, works such as replacement of transformers, reducing power theft, providing separate feeder for agricultural supply, and using Information Technology for billing could be taken up.

He also said that power can be generated at Rs. 2.50 a unit if four hydel projects could be developed across the Cauvery River (Shivanasamudra, Rasimanal, Hogenakkal and Mekedatu). About 1,100 MW could be generated through four hydel projects. A joint company can be formed by the NHPC and the State Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and a power sharing formula could be evolved. The scheme would benefit both the States if implemented. “I hope both Governments will move fast in this matter,” he said.

Regarding power shortage in the State, he said Tamil Nadu had faced special problems in the last one year and with the various measures taken, the situation in the coming months would not be as bad as in the last few months, he said.