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Power crisis looms in Punjab as coal stocks reach critical limit
Aman Sood
Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 8
Consumers in almost all parts of Punjab, barring the Chief Minister’s home town Bathinda, have complained of power cuts in the past few days.

Bothered by repeated power cuts, farmers have threatened to stage a dharna in front of the office of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). They need to water the late transplanted varieties of paddy which will mature for harvesting at the end of October or first week of November.

Due to dwindling coal stocks at its three thermal plants, which are left with a coal stock of barely 48 hours, the PSPCL had to impose power cuts. However, rains in some parts this evening is likely to provide relief, though temporary, to the PSPCL because of fall in power demand on Wednesday.

At present, Ropar Thermal Plant has 37,000 tonnes of coal meant to last only a little over 24 hours while Bathinda Thermal Plant with 14,000 tonnes of coal stock can operate it units for two days. With 36,000 tonnes in its stock at its disposal, Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant can operate its units for 60 hours.

Left with no option, the PSPCL management has decided to run only one unit each at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar. Though the PSPCL claims that the units were shut due to low demand, insiders claim that low coal stock is one of the factors.

With the PSPCL deciding to shut units in these plants, the supply is further set to go down. “We have shut these units as the demand for power across the state has gone down due to the rain today. We are comfortable as of now in terms of the coal stock”, claimed PSPCL chairman-cum-Managing Director, KD Chaudhri.

Accepting that some power cuts were imposed, Chaudhri said these were due to some technical snag in the Talwandi Sabo plant. The problem had been sorted out. “We are awaiting over 15 rakes of coal in the coming few days and we will be able to manage the situation. The coal stock is low at present but sufficient to meet the state’s need,” he said.

Precarious situation

At present, Ropar Thermal Plant has 37,000 tonnes of coal meant to last a little over 24 hours

Bathinda Thermal Plant with 14,000 tonnes of coal stock can operate its units for two days

With 36,000 tonnes at its disposal, Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant can operate its units for 60 hours

Left with no option, the PSPCL management has decided to run only one unit each at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar.

(With inputs from Arun Sharma from Ropar)