New tubewells a worry for Power Corp
Already struggling to meet demand, PSPCL will have to arrange 200-MW extra electricity
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 19
With the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) giving its nod for the release of 75,000 tubewell connections for the year 2011-12, the power requirement in the state would go up by 200 MW and approximately Rs 252 crore a year would be needed on account of subsidy to operate them.

Though the decision to release the tubewell connections has brought smiles on the face of farmers, there are apprehensions that in a power-deficit state like Punjab, the cash-strapped PSPCL may face problem in meeting the additional power demand.

Notably, as per the announcement, 45,000 tubewell connections will be released under the Accelerated Release of Tubewell Connections (ARTC) scheme, whereas 30,000 tubewell connections will be released under the general and other priority categories.

PSPCL Chief Managing Director KD Chaudhri said, "As per rough estimates, the power subsidy being given to the agricultural power consumers in Punjab will go up by Rs 21 crore a month. With 75,000 new tubewell connections, the power subsidy figure would increase from Rs 322 crore (Rs 3,864 crore a year) to Rs 343 crore a month (Rs 4,116 crore annually), which the state government would provide to the PSPCL.”

Chaudhri said the new tubewell connections would be installed by December-end.

According to sources in the PSPCL, the demand and supply of power in Punjab varies throughout the year. “The shortfall of power during the peak demand season can go up to 30-35 per cent,” they added. PSPCL Director (Distribution) Arun Verma said, “Because of proper planning for meeting the power demand in the state, the shortfall in the demand and supply of power in the recent past has come down drastically. In order to meet the additional power requirement of about 200 MW in the next summer season, the PSPCL will have to purchase it. Furthermore, after 2012 summer, the PSPCL will be itself in a position to generate more power."

PSEB Engineers' Association president HS Bedi has hailed the decision that the PSPCL was working towards clearing the pendency of the tubewell connections. “As additional power will be required to meet the power demand of 75,000 tubewells, it will be important to ensure the augmentation of the grid sub-stations and sub-transmission lines, otherwise the distribution system will get overloaded," he added