Lucknow, Apr 25 (KNN)  Faced with serious electricity shortage in the state, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) today invited bids to purchase about 3000 MW of power from different power trading companies.

UPPCL would require extra power from May-1 to July-31, to overcome the energy shortage in the state, regardless of the fact that power will come at quite a price, especially during the summer month.

Earlier, during a summer plan review meeting on March 17, the power ministry found a gap of up to 43 per cent in the state's projected demand and supply.  Forewarned of the imminent power crisis in Uttar Pradesh, it had written to the state government to put it on alert.  
 
 As per figures available with the ministry, the state's projected demand for summer 2013-14 is 15,839 MW showing a gap of 6,832 MW.
 
Having alerted the state government, the centre had asked the state to submit full details of demand management to meet the gap and its plan for load shedding with feeder-wise and area wise details and respective relief in MW.

The current restriction in UP are of the order of 2,200 MW and apart from this load restriction, further load shedding would be carried out to ensure secure grid operations. In 2012, UP had seen a demand of 12,048 MW with a gap of up to 1,739 MW which was reduced by resorting to load shedding.

Significantly, MSMEs and domestic users in the state have raised concerns several times over the frequent load shedding that has had adverse impact on their business and home. (KNN)