Engineers allege sub-optimal running of UP power plants

Virendra Singh Rawat / New Delhi/ Lucknow December 12, 2011,

All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has alleged Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) was running Anpara thermal power plants at sub-optimal level to help some private power producers in the state.

The federation has written to chief minister Mayawati to urgently intervene in the ‘serious’ matter.

Located in Sonebhadra district, Anpara A and B power plants produce electricity at the cheapest rates. While, Anpara A produces power at Rs 1.20/unit, Anpara B produces it at Rs 1.23/unit.

AIPEF maintained that sub-optimal generation of power at these plants was a grave issue and it acquired a more serious dimension, when it was being done to accrue benefit to private companies.

In its letter to Mayawati, the federation claimed electricity generation at both the Anpara units was being deliberately dropped on frequent basis, so that the state power utility UPPCL could honour its commitment to procure power from private producers.

The power generation was dropped on November 25, December 7 and 8 at Anpara units to ensure availability of transmission lines for power evacuation from Anpara C power plant, which is being run by Lanco.

According to federation general secretary Shailendra Dubey, the transmission lines are not capable of power evacuation from Anpara C, if Anpara A and B plants are running at full capacity.

AIPEF has urged Mayawati to issue directives to UPPCL officials against the alleged running of state power plants at sub-optimal capacity henceforth, which was akin to fleecing the end power consumers.