Port Blair, Apr 28: Mr. N. Peddi Raju, State President, Andaman and Nicobar Vidyut Shramik Sangh, Port Blair has requested the Minister of Power, GoI to commission a 50 MW Power Plant in South Andaman under Govt. Sector.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power, GoI, Mr. N. Peddi Raju mentioned that there is an acute shortage of power in South Andaman and the peak demand has risen to 43 MW. The Department of Electricity has two Power Houses of which only 6-7 MW requirements are met and the rest of the demand is met through the hiring of Power Plants.
Mr. Peddi Raju pointed out that only 16% load is available with the Government sector and the remaining 84% is met through the Private Firms. Due to less share of government in hand compared to the hiring power plants of the private firm, the management of power supply is hampered and load shedding is exercised during evening peak hours on a rotational basis throughout Port Blair and South Andaman.
He added that the hiring period is limited to 2-3 years and on the expiry of the hiring period, the tender has to be floated prior to the expiry of tender by the department and the space has to be provided for establishment/commissioning of the plant. For the commissioning of a 5-10 MW plant, considerable time is taken by contractors on expiry of every contract and the shortage of power supply is suffered by the general public of the Islands. The power demand is increasing day by day in these Islands, as the tourism activities in these Islands are developing in a fast phase.
Therefore, he requested the Minister of Power, GoI to regard the subject matter and take necessary action for the establishment of a 50 MW Power Plant in South Andaman.
