Punjab Newsline
Grim power scenario in Punjab for coming days
VINOID KUMAR GUPTA
Thursday, 25 June 2009

CHANDIGARH: The rising power demand and low power system frequency, receding water level in reservoirs, dwindling coal stock in thermal plants points to a grim power scenario in the region for coming days.

According to sources the power demand in Punjab has reached more than 1853 lakh units against supply of 1463 lakh units with a shortage of 390 lakh units. In Haryana power demand is approaching 1200 lakh units against supply of 1020 lakh units. With the paddy sowing in full swing and the day’s temperature touching 44 degree the power demand in likely to go up further.

The increase in power demand has left the northern grid venerable to possible collapse as System frequency for 90 percent of the day remains below 49.5 Hz. The frequency goes down to minimum of 48.8 Hz. Any excessive over drawl of power from grid could swing the voltage downward thus putting the risk of outage of generating units.
The water level in Bhakra is 1504 feet against last years level of 1582 feet, Ranjit Sagar Dam reservoir is 1646 feet against last year level of 1683 feet on the corresponding day. The minimum draw out level for generation is 1462 feet and it is 1600 feet for Ranjit Sagar Dam Project. The generation from Bhakra power houses including canal power houses is 189 lakh units . The receding water level power in reservoirs would bring down the generation level increasing the demand and supply gap.

As per Indian Metrological Department report Monsoon has just touched Bombay on Wednesday and it would take another 20 days to reach this part of country. Heat wave conditions would continue in the region increasing the power demand further in coming days.
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Further the coal stock in 9 thermal power houses out of 24 thermal power houses in northern region is in critical position. These include Ropar and Lehra Mohabatt in Punjab, Panipat in Haryana Badarpur in Delhi and Kota Suratgarh in Rajashthan.They all have less than seven days coal stock .The coal stock at Ropar is 118000 MT and at Lehra Mohabatt it is 88085 MT just sufficient for six days.

The PSEB has decided to shut down furnace and rolling mill industry for one week starting June 25.