Punjab blackout: Power demand dips to all-time low, grid stability threatened

During the blackout in parts of Punjab, the maximum Punjab load dipped to an all-time low of 1,147 MW between 11:30 to 11:45 pm. From around 8,500 MW during the day, the demand dipped to around 1,147 MW within few hours causing threat to grid stability.

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Officials privy to the matter said that at that time, Punjab own generation was 1,046 MW and IPP’s (Independent Power Producers) generation was 1,584 MW and central sector drawl was 1,526 MW. The maximum demand on the day was 8,439 MW. The average under drawl at that time was 2,845 MW against a schedule of 766 MW.

The power supply on Thursday was 1,709 LU, on Wednesday it was 1,913 LU while it was 2,130 LU on the corresponding day last year.

In April, the maximum power demand in Punjab was around 11,500 MW and even in May this year, it was over 10,000 MW for a number of days.

As there are apprehensions of suspension and delay of coal supply by Railways for a few days due to the present situation between India and Pakistan, the coal stock at state-run thermal plants remains comfortable. The coal stock at Lehra Mohabbat thermal plant is enough for 27 days, Ropar thermal plant for 39 days, Goindwal plant for 34 days, Rajpura plant for 26 days and Talwandi Sabo thermal plant for 13 days.

“The main danger of sudden extreme low demand is grid stability, and in this case, PSPCL engineers were able to control the situation,” said All India Power Engineers Federation spokesperson VK Gupta.