Limited Interconnection

Limited Interconnection Hansavivek TA TA ELEC TRIC Companies' chairman, N H Tata, has urged formulation of a scheme for interconnection to ensure full utilisation of national resources to prevent the periodical local deficits caused by the vagaries of the monsoon and to effect economy by keeping the power costs to the consumers to a minimum. Interconnections were established by Maharashtra State Electricity Board with the power systems of Eastern Maharashtra, MP, Mysore and Gujarat, but Tata says that the assistance available was inadequate and much less than the optimum, apart from initial difficulties and limitations in the interconnecting facilities. On their part the three Tata companies had undertaken a programme of modernisation and rehabilitation of the thermal station at Trombay, Work on the third 62.5 MW unit was completed, and the station with a total capability of approximately 330 MW was consistently maintained at a high level of efficiency. Throughout the period of power-cut the 4 units were operated at the highest possible load factor. The Trombay thermal station generated 213 million units per month in May and June 1969 which was not only the highest generation at the station so far but represented 92 per cent of its capability. The companies have increased their rates by 20 per cent from September following increase of 33 per cent in bulk supply charges by MSEB from the preceding month. Government has recently set up an expert committee to recommend measures for optimum utilisation of national resources and improving efficiency of power systems in India. Tata Electric Companies, general manager, K M Chinnappa, is a member of the committee.