Punjab Newsline
Power demand in Punjab increases to 1900 lakh units

Vinod Kumar Gupta
Friday, 06 August 2010
CHANDIGARH: Powercom has imposed power cuts in Punjab due to increase in power demand in the state and less availability of power.

The minimum power cut of 4 hours daily in main cities and one weekly off day on General industrial consumers and two weekly off days on Arc induction furnace and rolling mill consumers are being made.

The power demand in the state has increased to around 1900 lakh units whereas the power availability is 1630 lakh units. The daily power shortage in state has increased to 250 lakh units.

Punjab Powercom is overdrawing around 122 lakh units from the northern grid. The thermal plants of the state are putting 455 lakh units in the grid while hydro stations are generating 189 lakh units. The closure of one unit of Ropar increased the deficit by 50 lakh units. The unit is likely to be on bar on Sunday.

Two thermal units one each at Ropar and Lehra Mohabatt which were under shut down were revived yesterday.

A senior official said that due to good monsoon and heavy power purchase arrangements made in time this summer the power position is very much comfortable as compared to last year. He further said so for the performance of thermal plants has been very good .

The state is purchasing around 330 lakh units daily through short and long term power purchase arrangements.

The power generation on Thursday from Ropar thermal was 253 lakh units and from Lehra Mohabatt it was 201 lakh units.