Paddy season: Power demand up 500 MW in Punjab in 24 hrs

Patiala, June 15

The power demand in Punjab reached around 12,520 MW on Wednesday as the paddy season picked up pace in the border belt of the state.

Meanwhile, some parts of the state faced outages, but the PSPCL claimed that “no cuts were imposed as ample electricity was available”.

According to the PSPCL officials, the power demand this time has been considerately high as compared to the previous year. “In a single day, our power demand jumped by over 500 MW to 12,520 from 12,007 MW on Tuesday,” they said. “However there were no cuts imposed as sufficient power was available,” they added.

Meanwhile, dwindling coal stocks is also a cause for concern for the PSPCL as almost all thermal plants are short of the required stock. The state-owned thermal plant at Ropar is left with 14.9 days of coal, while the Lehra Mohabbat plant has 15-day stock. The private sector is also facing coal shortage with the Nabha thermal plant at Rajpura left with 20.7 days, Talwandi Sabo 4.9 days and GVK Goindwal Sahib 1.9 days of stock.

Since June 1, imported coal is being used by 10% blending at two thermal plants while for Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar, the stock will reach on June 20.

Moreover, the PSPCL is taking up the matter with the Centre for the allocation of 1,500 MW additional power to Punjab for the paddy season. “Hope it is done soon,” said a top-brass PSPCL official.