Shortfall as unexpected surge in electricity demand in Punjab

Ruchika M Khanna

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 25

Unprecedented demand over the past five days and damage to the transmission system by recent hailstorms have led to a shortfall in power supply across the state. The demand has surged to unexpected 13,000 MW levels over the

past five days, peaking at 13,399 MW today. The demand during the corresponding period had remained around 12,000 MW and peaked at 13,000 levels only for three days in last July.

The government has made arrangements to supply up to 13,700 MW this year through purchase agreements and power banking, besides buying electricity from the power exchange. “This peak purchase was to be made in July. However, with demand peaking early this year, we have been purchasing power from the exchange. Even tomorrow, we are buying 928 MW (@Rs 3.78 per unit), to meet the demand,” said a senior officer in the state power department, adding they were now ensuring eight-hour supply to farmers.

Officials in the department, who held a meeting to discuss ways to meet the demand today, expressed concern over high demand arising out of (unauthorised) increase in load on tube-wells by hundreds of farmers. Though a voluntary disclosure scheme was announced by the PSPCL recently, officers say it has failed to enthuse farmers to disclose the additional load.

“The estimates for demand are based on the demand data disclosed by customers. Our field reports now show farmers having installed higher power pumps to extract water, thus leading to the high demand,” said the officer.

During the meeting, the issue of providing free 200 units to every household in the state (as directed by the Congress high command) was also discussed. The financial implications and its impact on the fiscal health of PSPCL was debated.