Faced with the growing power crisis in the national capital, the Delhi government on Friday issued a slew of guidelines directing commercial and residential consumers to cut down electricity consumption during peak hours.
Government offices in the capital have been directed not to use their air conditioners after 1830 hrs while shops and business establishments will have to shut down before 1930 hrs, as per the new guidelines issued by the power ministry.
The city has been reeling under severe power crisis for the last few days because of shortfall in supply due to "over-drawing from the northern grid by neighbouring states", resulting in rotational loadshedding in several areas.
Industrial units have been barred from functioning between 1830 hrs and 2300 hrs and shops across the city will have to remain closed for a day in a week apart from the normal market holidays.
Advertisement hoardings will not be allowed to draw power for illumination, Electricity Minister Haroon Yusuf told reporters in New Delhi after a high-power meeting reviewed the power situation in the city.
"We are appealing to the citizens of Delhi not to use air conditioners before 2100 hrs. All these efforts would lead to conservation of 250-300 MW of power. Presently the city is facing a shortage of 400 MW," he said.
He said Himachal Pradesh has agreed to provide 200 MW of power from next week in addition to the 190 MW supplied by the state.
The Dadri plant will start functioning from May 15 and will generate 210 MW of power.
The instructions to the shop owners and industrial units will remain in force till July 15, he said.
In view of the power crisis faced every year, he said the Delhi government is planning to set up a 2000 MW coalbased plant in Jharkhand.
"Negotiations are on with the Jharkhand government to set up the plant in that state. We went for this option because of the environmental norms restricting us to have a coal-based plant in Delhi. And gas-based plant is expensive and availability of gas is doubtful," he said.
