Early paddy sowing, harsher summer to up power demand

As India braces for hotter-than-usual weather from April to June with the IMD predicting more heatwave days, the power demand in the state is projected to increase by 8% this year.

The maximum power demand may cross 17,000 MW in the paddy season, which will start early this year from June 1. The maximum demand was 14,311 MW in June 2022, 15,293 MW in June 2023 and 16,058 MW in June last year.

“Climate change-induced heat stress is one of the key factors jacking up the demand for electricity. As per an IMD report, the coming summer months are likely to be hotter than usual. This could in turn result in a higher number of heatwave days in the state, which means more power consumption. With early paddy season, the power demand is likely to rise sharply,” said VK Gupta, spokesperson, All India Power Engineers Federation.

Last year, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the state power utility, had successfully met the record electricity demand of 16,058 MW. However, the unrestricted maximum demand had touched 16,800 MW. “The increase in demand is attributed to rising temperatures and the peak season for paddy transplantation, which significantly increase electricity consumption. Currently, industries, households and agriculture account for 38%, 30% and 19% of the total power consumption in the state,” said a former chief engineer of the PSPCL.

While the state generates 6,000 to 6,500 MW of power from its own sources, it gets about 10,000 MW from the grid by way of power purchase agreements and banking arrangements. “The short-term banking arrangements for 3,000 MW, 4,800 MW share of state in the Centre sector and BBMB plants, and solar power are likely to help the PSPCL meet the peak demand this year,” said a senior official of the powercom.

This year, all thermal power units in the state sector at Lehra Mohabbat, Ropar and Goindwal Sahib will be run to their maximum capacity. Besides, there are private thermal plants at Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo. “However, the area of concern as of now is the availability of hydro power. There may be less hydro power generation due to low level of water at Ranjit Sagar dam and Bhakra reservoir. We are keeping close tabs on the situation,” said a PSPCL official.