Punjab supplies a record 1,606 lakh unit of power in a day

Chandigarh, Aug 1 (UNI) The Punjab Government has set a new record of providing 1,606 lakh units of power in a single day in the state to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the farming community during paddy season.

The government has successfully met the demand of 7,242 MW in comparison to its present generation capacity of 6,200 MW, an official spokesman said here today.

During the current paddy season, the farmers' demand of sufficient power supply was achieved without any scheduled power cuts or regulatory measures on any category of consumers except that one weekly off was imposed on the industry after June 10, he said.

He however pointed out that though present generation capacity was only 6,200 MWs, whereas the peak demand leading to a shortfall of about 30 per cent was considerably met.

Elaborating the demand and supply arrangements, he said that this shortfall was fulfilled as 3,690 lakh units i.e. additional 10 per cent of electricity was available from thermal units as compared to the last year due to proper annual maintenance being carried out.

Besides, with sufficient rains and snowfall, the hydro power plants generated 3,730 lakh additional units i.e. 10 per cent more than the corresponding period of last year.

He further added that the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) had fully geared up well in advance of the commencement of paddy season for adequate and timely tie-up for short term power purchase through traders.

In another unique measure, power banking agreements had been made not only with Northern states but also with states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, he added.

With these initiatives, 7,450 lakh units of power were arranged and moreover 2,500 lakh units were purchased through traders at lowest rates through banking, the spokesman said.

The synchronisation of the Northern Grid with Central Grid had also immensely helped the state in additional overdrawl from the grid to the tune of 150-190 lakh units per day. Earlier, this surplus power of eastern region was being utilised by western region only, he said.

The spokesman claimed that the PSEB was allocated about 20.1 per cent from the unallocated quota of central government this year, compared to the 10.42 per cent last year. This additional allocation had resulted into supply of additional 30 lakh units per day, he said.

He further informed that stringent administrative measures were adopted to control misuse of supply and reduce the demand by way of extensive checking of unauthorised load and power theft, downloading of energy meters at grid sub-stations, shifting of meters outside the premises of consumers and installation of line capacitors.

UNI