PSEB to shop for Rs 1,100 crore power
Megha Mann/TNS

Ropar, April 2
Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is buying power worth Rs 1,100 crore to meet with requirements of state in forthcoming summer season. This was stated by PSEB chairman HS Brar while addressing mediapersons on completion of 25 years of successful operation of the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power plant, Ropar.

Brar said besides buying the power, the state has also banked with several other states of the country, including Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and 100 MW from Mumbai.

“PSEB is making sure that no sector suffers due to power shortage. The power pool will fulfil our demand that has far exceeded the supply,” Brar added. He revealed that 12 per cent rise in demand has been noted from last year. The demand for power in state has increased by 1,200 to 1,300 MW per day, which exceeds the generation.

Scanty rains, leading to drought like situation in the country, have shot down hydropower generation units in the state. As of today the Bhakra Power Plant is producing 20 lakh units (LU) less than last year. Similarly, the Pong reservoir has registered generation of mere 0.86 LU as compared to 2.67 LU last year and Mukerian hydel project has registered just 1.10 LU generation as compared to 9.59 LU last year. Today, the demand of power was 1114 LU, while supply was only 985 LU.

“In order to meet with the requirement for paddy transplantation in the month of June, we are trying our best to regulate power and cut down on the losses incurred during transmission and distribution as well as pilferage,” Brar said.

The board also claims to have imposed additional cuts on the industry to meet with sudden increased demand from agriculture sector.

Talking about the upcoming power plants at Goindwal Sahib and Talwandi Sabo, Brar said for both the plants, financial closure has been done. This means that the companies executing its work are through with loan process and floating tenders. “The zero period of both plants has started and these would be likely commissioned within next 36 months,” he asserted.