Punjab pulls plug on power to industry
Imposes two-day weekly off on industries till Saturday; essential service providers exempted
PATIALA: Unable to meet the rising demand for power despite imposing cuts in the domestic sector, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Thursday decided to impose two-day weekly offs for industrial consumers, barring those providing essential services, with immediate effect.
The two-day weekly off for industrial consumers from 4pm on Thursday to Saturday is being imposed after nine years.
Switch off ACS, govt officers urged
The PSPCL has appealed to government and public sector offices to restrict the use of air conditioners for the next three days to help the state tide over the shortage.
Punjab, which is touted to be power-surplus, is banking on the arrival of the monsoon as the meteorological department has forecast rainfall from July 3.
For the past 10 days, the PSPCL has been imposing long power cuts in the rural areas. The urban population has been reeling under power cuts for the past four days.
Gap of 1,330 MW between demand and supply
On Wednesday, the power demand in Punjab touched 14,142 MW, while the state supplied a maximum of 12,842 MW.
There is a gap of about 1,330 MW between demand and supply, according to the report of the Northern Grid.
The power shortage during evening peak hours is 2,100 MW with a supply of 12,380 MW.
The PSPSL supplied 2,979 lakh units to the state on Wednesday and there was a shortage of at least 251 lakh units.
On Tuesday, there was a shortage of 1,550 MW and 132 lakh units of power supply.
State dependent on private thermal plants
The thermal power generation in the state is 1,000 lakh units, comprising 325 lakh units by state sector thermal plants and 675 lakh units by the private sector.
There is a breakdown in one of the units at the Ropar plant, while a 660-MW unit at the Talwandi Sabo plant has been out of operation since March 8.
Hydel supply to the state is 223 lakh units of which the Bhakra dam project supplies about 75 lakh units.
“Punjab can import a maximum of 7,300 MW from the northern grid. The state has its own generation of about 5,500 MW from all sources, including solar during the day. This implies under present circumstances, it can supply around 12,700 MW,” said a PSPCL management official.
He said that overdependence on the private sector has dented the image of the PSPCL and drawn the wrath of consumers.
We have our limitations, says PSPCL
PSPCL director, distribution, DPS Grewal said the shortage is owing to the failure of a unit at Talwandi Sabo thermal plant in Bathinda district.
“The PSPCL is finding it difficult to meet the demand of more than 14,500MW. The corporation is committed to providing uninterrupted power to all categories of consumers but we have our limitations. Thus, some restrictions have been imposed”, he said.
“In view of the unprecedented situation, I appeal to all officials in government departments, boards and corporations to make judicious use of electricity in their offices and business centres by switching off lights, devices and appliances when not required and switching off high power consuming appliances such as air conditioners for the next three days,” Grewal said.
PSEB Engineers Association president Jasvir Singh Dhiman has blamed the PSPCL management for the failure to make arrangements for the peak season.
“Overdependence on the private sector and ignoring the advice of technocrats besides not having a regular chairperson and managing director (CMD) have led to this situation.”