Energy secy raps state power firm's staff

Energy Secretary Subrat Ratho, who also heads the state-run power generation company Mahagenco, wants the company's employees to shun 'cancerous' irregularities that could ruin the company.

Energy Secretary Subrat Ratho, who also heads the state-run power generation company Mahagenco, wants the company's employees to shun 'cancerous' irregularities that could ruin the company.

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Ratho expressed his views in the July-August issue of the company's in-house magazine, Srujan.

Mahagenco, the third largest generation company in the country with an installed capacity of 9,996 mega watts (MW), has not been meeting even half its generating capacity for the last three months.

The company's generated 3,779 MW during the evening hours on Monday as against the state's total demand of 10,526 MW. The deficit was met through procurement from private players and Central allocation.

For the state's distribution company, Mahavitaran, buying power from outside costs more than getting it from Mahagenco. The extra cost is passed to 1.6 crore consumers.

Mahagenco also suffers losses because Mahavitaran is its sole buyer. “What concerns me the most is our underperformance, which affects our financial health and expansion plans,” Ratho's opinion piece said. "You must try to get generation closer to the installed capacity. You must stop giving the same excuses."

The senior bureaucrat, associated with state's power sector for the last five years, said employees found guilty of stealing coal were suspended and added that power station managers should check such thefts.

Mahagenco is replacing old stations with modern ones. It will start operating two sets of 500 MW each in Bhusawal and Khaparkheda next year. A new 250-MW unit is operational at Parli in Beed.