Punjab on Wednesday witnessed a significant increase in power demand as it crossed the 14,700-MW mark during the second day of the first phase of the eight-hour uninterrupted power supply to farmers for paddy transplantation in Muktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts of Punjab.

The paddy transplantation in the six districts began on Tuesday also marking the start of uninterrupted power supply in the districts, while that in the rest of the 17 districts will begin on June 15.Wednesday’s power demand was the highest this season, with the state’s own generation being around 6,150 MW and drawl from the northern grid was around 8,550 MW.

On Tuesday, the maximum demand was over 13,800 MW, an increase of over 1,200 MW from 12,600 MW recorded on Monday. The thermal supply from plants was 128 Lakh Units (LUs) , and from IPPs within state 374 LU from Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo thermals.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said the state government has evolved a fool proof mechanism to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers during the paddy sowing season.

During this season, the state government ensures uninterrupted power supply for eight hours in a day for four months, which is the duration of the crop, to the farming sector feeders. This facilitates running the tube wells needed by farmers.In the first 11 days of June, Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) has supplied 26,589 LU as against the last year’s supply of 18,841 LU during the corresponding period, which is an increase of over 40 per cent.

As for coal stock, the Ropar, Lehra Mohabbat and Goindwal thermal plants have reserves for 11, 25 and 26 days, respectively. The private sector thermal plants in Rajpura have coal stock for 23 days, followed by Talwandi Sabo (4 days).

The water level in hydro plants’ reservoirs like the Bhakra reservoir’s water level stands at 1,584 feet, which is 14 feet higher than last year’s level of 1,570 feet on the corresponding day. Similarly, the water level at Ranjit Sagar is 507 metres, reflecting a decrease of over 4.3 metres from the last year’s 511.3 metres.

This year, the maximum power demand of around 16,500 MW can be expected in the last days of June, said power expert Vinod Kumar Gupta, the spokesman of the All India Power Engineers Federation.

Last June, the maximum power demand was 15,325 MW during the last days of June and supplied a record 3,435 lakh units in a day.