Paddy Season
for eight-hour supply Power Corp inks pacts
Umesh Dewan/TNS

Patiala, March 20
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has signed short-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with different firms to supply eight-hour power to agricultural pumpsets in Punjab during the paddy season this year. The total power to be purchased for the paddy season would be around 3,200 million units (MUs).

PSPCL director, distribution, Arun Verma said that they had several meetings to ascertain how much power would be required for watering of the paddy crop from June 10 to October 10 this year. He further said, "Apart from our own generation and the power from the Central pool and other sources, there will be a shortfall of about 3,200 MUs for the agricultural sector."

Verma said that in order to bridge the gap between the demand and supply for the paddy season, the shortfall would be managed through the short-term PPA. He said that tenders were floated to purchase power through short-term PPA. "After the tendering, PPAs have been signed," added Verma.

The Power Corporation had signed the PPA for purchasing 3,200 MUs of power. The cost of the power being purchased would be approximately Rs 4 per unit, which amounts to Rs 128 crore.

"Apart from purchasing power, the PSPCL is taking other steps required to ensure that the farmers get proper eight-hour supply during paddy season without fail," said Verma.