PUNJAB NEWS

Punjab and Haryana facing acute power shortage
June 16, 2012 03:23 PM
By Vinod Gupta
CHANDIGARH: Notwithstanding the tall claims of Punjab & Haryana Governments both state are facing acute power shortage after the commencement of paddy plantation.

With the increasing gap between power demand and supply the power utilities have been forced to long unscheduled power cuts. The power shortage in Punjab and Haryana was more than 200 lac units daily and both states are forced to over draw from the northern grid. The power position in Haryana is much worse as compared to Punjab.

With the increasing gap between power demand and supply the power utilities have been forced to long unscheduled power cuts. The power shortage in Punjab and Haryana was more than 200 lac units daily and both states are forced to over draw from the northern grid. The power position in Haryana is much worse as compared to Punjab.

In Punjab power demand exceeded 2025 lac units with shortage of 214 lac units. The state over drew 117 lac units from grid as one unit of Ropar Thermal plant was closed after boiler leakage. The power shortage during peak hours was more than 1100 MW. The unscheduled power cuts in all cities belies claim of state government of cur free summer this year.

In Haryana after the commencement of paddy plantation from June 15 the power demand has crossed 1450 lac units whereas availability is 1240 lac units. The state which was boosting power surplus earlier this year has been forced to resort to long unscheduled cuts of more than 8 hours in all the cities. The power supply to agriculture is not more than 5 hours.

The forced closure of three thermal units having 1200 MW due to technical faults at Yamuna Nagar and Khedar worsened the power situation. The non-availability of coal at 1320 MW Jhajjar thermal plant is also adding to the problems of utility. The Unit 5 of Panipat thermal is down due technical problems.