Delhi power situation worsens as discoms face payment heat

New Delhi: The power situation in Delhi has worsened fas state-run NHPC cut 200 mega watt of supply to Reliance Infrastructure-backed discom BSES for failing to pay up the outstanding dues to the tune of over Rs 200 crore. The cut in supply came as electricity demand on Friday touched an all-time high of 5,330 MW. Contrary to BSES’ claim that the cut in supply did not result in any shortage, the areas where the company distributes power faced loadshedding for varying durations. [caption id=“attachment_354782” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The power generation company Damodar Valley Corporation has threatened to suspend power supply to Delhi, after blaming power distribution company BSES for non-payment of dues. Reuters”]  [/caption] Officials said NHPC has cut supply from midnight on Thursday and BSES was trying to persuade the power generation company to restore the supply. They said BSES owes an Rs 225 crore to NHPC. The cut in supply of power by NHPC to BSES came a day after two power generation companies of Delhi government and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) told the discom to pay up over Rs 1,600 crore in dues. DVC has threatened to snap power supply to BSES. A BSES spokesperson said BSES had signed an agreement with NHPC in April, 2012, for liquidation of outstanding dues. The company had paid Rs 45 crore to the power generation firm and remaining 225 crore was to be paid in 10 equal instalments. He said BSES paid the first instalment of Rs 23 crore on Wednesday and there was a delay of 20 days in payment of the installment for May which was communicated to NHPC. “While attempts to normalize the situation have been initiated, we have once again requested NHPC to take a more pragmatic view of the situation and withdraw regulation of power,” said the spokesperson. PTI