Chandigarh, August 12
Power consumption in Punjab reached a never before figure of 2,022 lakh units (LU) today, forcing the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to enforce power cuts ranging from seven to 12 hours on all category of consumers, including the general industrial sector that faces three off days in a week now.
The state, which had before never seen power demand cross the 2,000-LU mark, is finding it difficult to bridge the demand-supply gap that has crossed the 450-LU mark. The power available in the state today was 1,566 LU. The usual power demand in the state during this season used to be around 1,500 LUs earlier.
Unable to meet the demand, the PSEB has enforced long cuts in both rural and urban areas. Power availability for tubewells has also gone down to 6-7 hours from the promised eight. At this moment, there seems to be only one oasis in the state - Chief Minister’s village, Badal - which is enjoying uninterrupted power supply.
Even the new Bathinda bastion of the Badals, which had been promised power cut-free summer only a few months back, is also facing power cuts of around seven hours daily. Other cities in the state are faring even more badly. Ferozepur, which saw elections in Jalalabad recently, is facing power cuts of around 12 hours daily. Patiala, where the PSEB is based, is facing cuts ranging from seven to eight hours.
The general industry will face an unprecedented situation of three compulsory off days every week from tomorrow. Arc and induction furnaces will face two weekly offs, while peak-load restrictions have been imposed on “continuous-process” industry. Industry attached with mixed feeders is also in trouble with factories having to do with seven to eight hours of power cuts daily along with a compulsory weekly off, says former Patiala Industries Association president Vikram Goel.
PSEB Director, System Operations A K Matharu when contacted says the partial failure of the rains has resulted in this unprecedented situation. He said the Board had calculated a demand of 1800 LUs for this period, 300 LUs more than the demand of 1500 LUs experienced during the same time last year. He said attempts were being made to purchase power from everywhere available but the Board was unable to meet the shortfall and that this situation would continue unless rains brought in relief.
The PSEB is currently purchasing 184 LUs on an average and is getting 135 LUs under
banking arrangements with Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Meanwhile Board sources disclosed the government decision to revert office timings to 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. from the earlier time of 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. had also increased the load.
