Power crisis deepens as Nathpa, Bapsa power projects shut

Patiala, July 8 (UNI) The power crisis in Punjab today turned grim with the 300 MW Baspa-II Hydro Electric Project shutting down even as the efforts to revive the crucial 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Project failed, leading to an added shortfall of 120 MW on a day when power demand broke all records.

A spokesman of PSEB said here today that Nathpa Jhakri had started power generation but had to be shut down within 30 minutes as silt blocked its blades, continuing the loss of 600 MW from it.

Another jolt came when heavy inflow of silt into turbines of Baspa hydel project forced it to shut, causing the state to lose an additional 120 MW, he said.

The state today showed an all time high demand of 1800 lakh units while the Board could only supply 1100 lakh units resulting in acute power shortage.

Sources said that PSEB has failed to continue eight hour power supply for the paddy fields. They said that due to shutting down the arc furnaces and two day industrial off in the state, the domestic supply to rural Punjab was also affected.

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