Punjab Newsline
Deficient rainfall likely to reduce power availability: Padamjit Singh
VINOD KUMAR GUPTA
Sunday, 28 June 2009
CHANDIGARH: The delayed and deficient monsoon this year is likely to reduce the total power availability by 2361 million units for Punjab from Hydro electric projects, said Padamjit Singh a retired Chief Engineer of PSEB.

Padamjit Singh in a letter to Punjab State Electricity Regulatory commission has suggested that it would be necessary to increase the quantum of energy availability through trading to the tune of 2361 million units in view of shortfall in power availability.

Singh writes that in view of prevailing low reservoir level at Bhakra the total generation for the financial year 2009-10 is likely to be 4648 million units out of which Punjab would get 1952 million units. Similarly power availability for Punjab from Dehar Power house would be 1412 million units and from Pong Power house would be 211 million units. The total power available from BBMB would be 3575 million units where as PSEB has projected this figure at 4625 million units in ARR submitted by board to the regulatory commission.

These projections are based on a dry year pattern and prediction of 81 percent monsoon in North West India by Metrological Department of India. PSEB’s own hydro electric projects would plant would generate 3668 million units against earlier assessment of 4659 million units and net deficit is likely to be 991 million units.

The likely total reduction from all hydro sources is likely to be 2361 million units including deficit of 320 million units from central sector.