Power on Demand

Recently visited our farmhouse near Shahpur, south of mumbai. This time I noticed the diesel generators that power this "pollution free" region. The air is clean and the land green. But you can hear them grinding away when in any office. Even the police station has one, rated at 750 VA. It is loud but it does the job. I checked with a relative of mine. He owns a small industry in this area. It is the most convenient thing. Every day between 10 AM and 4 PM, there is no power in the mains. Occupying a tiny chamber next to his factory, it generates a 50 KvA with ease and produces unit kWh at about 11 Rs, about twice the cost of government power. Diesel is the major expense. He says he does not care if he lost the unit. Power is available on demand and for the convenience, the pollution and the cost bump may well be worth it.