Power shortage hits Himachal Pradesh, thanks to accumulation of silt

Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has been forced to implement load-shedding measures across various substations due to a significant reduction in power generation. Following heavy rainfall in the past couple of days, heavy silt accumulation has affected several hydroelectric power projects, resulting in an estimated deficit of around 650 MW on July 21.

The sudden reduction in power generation has been further worsened by the non-availability of sufficient power in the real-time market. “Against the demand of around 1,500 MW, we could get just 100 MW to 200 MW from the real-time market,” said HPSEBL spokesperson Anurag Parashar. He added that this forced board to draw around 700 MW of additional power from the grid to meet the demand.

The low frequency posed a threat to grid security, prompting the HPSEBL to take measures to stabilise the power system. The HPSEBL has implemented load-shedding measures ranging from around 600 MW across various substations to manage the critical situation and ensure grid security.

The spokesperson said that the HPSEBL was coordinating with all relevant agencies to restore normal generation levels and mitigate the impact on consumers. “The situation had stabilized after Monday midnight. However, we can face the problem again if heavy rain continues and there’s accumulation of silt,” he added.