Power situation normal in Punjab as paddy sowing begins

Patiala, June 9 (UNI) Though the power situation in Punjab is normal, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has made adequate arrangements to receive power under banking system from other states during the paddy season.

Under the banking system, PSEB would receive power from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pardesh, J&K and Rajasthan, within the region and from Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, MP and Gujarat, outside the region, PSEB Chairman Y S Ratra stated here today.

Besides, power purchase agreements to meet the demand during the paddy season have been signed with Lanco, NVVN, PTC, JSW, Adani, TATA, Reliance, Vinergy, Nagaland, Tripura and Delhi Discoms. These arrangements have been made for the period from June to September this year.

Mr Ratra informed the PSEB would meet the total anticipated requirement of 25,300 mega units for the period from April to September. Last year, this requirement was 23,700 mega units.

Mr Ratra said for the moment power supply position in the state is comfortable. There have been no power cuts over the last 15 to 20 days. Even the one-day weekly off day for industry has been/is being relaxed on day-to-day basis.

This is on account of favourable weather conditions prevailing in this part of the region, the Chairman stated. The demand on June 8 was 1,050 lakh units, which was lesser by about 257 lakh units on the same date last year.

This demand on June 8 was met by 100 lakh units from PSEB's own hydro generation, 350 lakh units from its own thermal generation, three lakh units from non-conventional power projects, 115 lakh units from BBMB and 482 lakh units through purchase from central sector stations.

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