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Coimbatore, Dec. 2 The Southern India Mills Association (SIMA) has said that imposing a 20-25 per cent uniform power cut across the State would be an ideal solution to tide over the power crisis.

It is of the view that the diesel captive power generation model recommended by SIMA would provide relief to the State.

In a statement issued here, Dr K.V. Srinivasan, Chairman, SIMA, said the order of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) with regard to utilisation of banked wind energy generated between April 1 and October 31 in five equal monthly instalments during December 1 to April 30, 2009, by enhancing the demand and energy quota proportionately was a major relief to the textile industry which accounted for 75 per cent of the wind turbine generator capacity installed in the State (over 3,000 MW).

Dr Srinivasan appealed to TNERC to verify the data provided by TNEB with regard to actual generation, shortage and distribution of power shortage across the industry and ensure equal distribution of power and draw up principles and protocols in line with the Maharashtra State Electricity Regulatory Commission for load shedding and power cut to minimise the losses incurred by the industry.

He was of the view that a uniform power cut of 20-25 per cent would be an ideal solution.

He felt that implementing the diesel captive power generation model would be the “ultimate solution to tide over the power crisis in Tamil Nadu for the next three or four years”.

Dr Srinivasan, referring to the huge investment the textile industry has made and the crucial role it played in the country’s economy, feared that the industry would face closure if 90 per cent capacity utilisation is not achieved.

But with the proposed power restrictions, the textile industry would be able to achieve only 40 per cent capacity utilisation that would bring it to a halt.

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