Punjab, Haryana gearing up for power demand surge

Punjab and Haryana are gearing up for the anticipated surge in power demand in the coming paddy season. The surge in maximum demand and total supply is likely to touch 8 percent. The coming summer months are likely to be hotter than usual across the northwest region, as per IMD report. EL Nino conditions are likely to persist for most of this period, which could in turn result in a higher number of heat wave days in Punjab and Haryana, said VK Gupta, Spokesperson of the All-India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF). Peak power demand in the country is estimated to rise by seven percent year-on-year to 260 GW this summer. The peak power demand during the summer of 2023 touched 243 GW and this year it is expected the peak power demand this year will be 260 GW. Punjab witnessed a maximum demand of 15,293 MW last year and this year the maximum demand may surpass 16000 MW. In Haryana, the maximum demand last year was 13055 MW and during the coming paddy season the demand may touch 14300 MW Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) supplied 51458 million units from April to November-end in 2023. Punjab’s last year’s power consumption in April was 4,187 million units (MU), 5270 MU in May, 7053 MU in June, and 8301 MU in July. Punjab’s power consumption grew over 11 percent in February and 8.6 percent in January this year. Power officials in Punjab and Haryana claim that they will handle the surge in power demand as they have made elaborate short-term power purchase arrangements and have sufficient coal stock for their plants. In case of breakdown of thermal units, there may be a short time problem. PSPCL officials claim that with the acquisition of Goindwal thermal plant and own coal mine at Pachhwara they are placed in a better position this year. The coal stock at state own thermal plants at Lehra Mohabbat, Ropar, and Goindwal Sahib are 22, 38, and 10 days respectively. In Haryana, the coal stock positions at Panipat, Khedar, and Yamuna Nagar are for 22, 30, and 20 days respectively. Haryana power demand expected From June to September is between 11200 MW to 14300 MW. The power shortage expected during this period is 3200 MW to 2900 MW. The HERC has allowed power purchases for July, August, and September 1640 MW, 1590 MW and 1740 MW respectively. Despite this, the power shortage may persist in these months depending upon weather.