Paddy sowing, heatwave shoot up power demand in Punjab, Hry to a new high
PATIALA : The onset of paddy season, coupled with the extreme heat wave has meant, that demand soared to the highestever for any season in the history of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), on Monday, at 12,065 MW. The previous highest demand, 11,705 MW, was recorded in July 2017. In Haryana too, Monday’s demand was 9,954 MW, beating last year’s maximum demand of 9,440 MW recorded on July 15.
Usually, power utilities anticipate peak demand in the second or third week of July.
‘Monsoon needs to be on time’
If the monsoon is delayed, the states will have to sweat it out in the heat and humidity as the power utility is already functioning to its peak capacity of giving supply.
“We have managed, but the fact is that demand has soared beyond our expectation and is almost 33% more than previous years. Rain will provide relief,” said Baldev Singh Sran, chairman-and-managing director (CMD), PSPCL. He added, “The PSPCL has done its home work and is prepared to meet demand of up to 13,000 MW. We have also arranged 1,925 MW through special arrangement.”
The water level in reservoirs of the state continues to lower than last year. The Bhakra level is 456.5m against 476.71m on the corresponding day last year. This is a dip of 62-feet over last year.
In the case of the Ranjit Sagar Dam project, the water level is 502m against last year’s 513.67m. As on Monday, outflow from reservoirs was more than inflow. “Once monsoon arrives, this trend will change. Only then, will there be a decline in demand,” a PSPCL official said.