New Delhi, May 7
With the onset of summer season, the power situation is likely to worsen in the Northern region, including in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, UP and other states. Despite the power ministry’s claims of improvement in power generation by about 5 per cent this year and entry of private sector players, the crisis will prevail.

Power Minister P.M. Syeed admitted that the Centre might not be able to help the states beyond certain point since power shortage was likely to increase to over 11 per cent during the peak season.

Replying to a series of supplementary questions in the Lok Sabha yesterday, he said, “ Since some of the states have failed to add to the power generation capacity over the years, besides undertaking restructuring of old power plants and lenient attitude towards power pilferage, they may tough times ahead.”

According to power ministry estimates, during April 2004-March 2005, the Northern region faced 9.2 per cent shortage of power amounting to 16,140 million units.

In Punjab, against the requirement of 33,393 MU, the state could arrange about 30,383 MU leaving a gap of over 9 per cent during last fiscal. During the summer season, the state was likely to face a power shortage of up to 20 per cent.

During peak time, the state could supply 5559 MW as against the demand of 7122 MW thus leaving a gap of 1563 MW last year. Since the state had not added any new power capacity, the situation might not be different this season as well.