Power distribution network needs to be upgraded
rajeev RANjan roy

Chandigarh

Punjab, which was a serious power deficit state, is now inching towards a situation where the state will have enough of power to meet the domestic and commercial requirements as all the new projects are going to be fully operational by next year. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen power distribution network in the state, which is currently not in a good shape. The power shortage in Punjab had rendered industrial units ‘powerless’ financially as well. The power cuts remained persistent even during the winter season, when the domestic demand is normally very low.

“Once all the projects get operational, the power woes are likely to be over. A lot, however, will depend upon how effectively we manage the distribution and transmission mechanism,” said RS Sachdeva, Chairman, Punjab Chapter, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). The textile industry in the state has been adversely affected due to erratic power supply. The automation of the textile industry needs regular power supply.

“The captive power is unviable,” said Sachdeva. According to sources in Punjab power utilities, the state has a demand of about 92 million units per day. However, there has been a shortfall of about 15 million units. The state has to provide 14 million units to the hilly states under the banking system as the state borrows power from them in summer. The steel cluster of Mandi Gobindgarh has also suffered due to the dismal power situation. “The uncertain power supply and fluctuation have hit us more as the heat cycle between two production processes cannot be stopped,” said Avtar Singh, Director, Mithila Malleables. Said Sanjeev Nagpal, Managing Director, Nasa Agro: “The food processing units of Sangrur, the largest rice processing belt of Asia, are in doldrums due to acute power shortage. The rice mills, solvent extraction plants, cotton ginning units, sugar plants, groundnut oil seeds units, which work particularly more during this time of the year, are utilising only 60 per cent of their capacities due to the power shortage.”

Since power is of great importance in the industrial growth of any state, the SAD-BJP government put this sector on a high growth trajectory during the last five years. Power generation in the state will witness a quantum jump with the commissioning of the three thermal projects adding up to 3920 mega watt (MW) that are coming up near Goindwal Sahib, Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura. All these plants are in advanced stages of construction and these units would start coming into commercial operation from November this year.