Acute power crisis looms in Punjab

The total demand of power in Punjab is pegged at 2040 lakh units, and the power shortage is 115 lakh units
Yogindra Mohan

Patiala

Punjab is heading towards an acute power crisis due to the increased demand of power over the last few days. According to sources, the power demand in the next couple of weeks is expected to increase further in view of delayed monsoon.

The total demand of power in Punjab is presently pegged at 2040 lakh units, and the power shortage is 115 lakh units. Punjab’s present over drawl from grid is 184 lakh units. Power demand in Punjab has risen by 350 lakh units after eight-hour power supply to agriculture sector for paddy sowing.

Sources said that the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had a thermal generation of 431 lakh units while the hydro generation was 183 lakh units.

Power demand in the state which was around 1400 lakh units two weeks back has registered a steep hike and at present the demand is over 2000 lakh units. The PSPCL has been supplying 1685 lakh units daily.

The state is drawing average 2364 MW per hour from inter-state generating stations. Under bilateral agreements state is getting average 1790 MW hour.

With delayed and below normal monsoon the state may not get anticipated boost of generation from hydro projects. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) estimates the water level as 1528.42 feet while on the same day last year the level was 1574, 84 feet. Similarly water level in Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir is 501.29 meters against last year’s level of 512.14 meters.